Blood Pressure Management
What you need to know about high blood pressure
- The medical term for high blood pressure is hypertension
- High blood pressure puts you at a higher risk for heart disease and stroke
- Only 24% of adults with high blood pressure properly manage their condition
- Some can manage hypertension through lifestyle, but medication may still be necessary
- High blood pressure is more common in men than in women
- Louisiana has one of the highest hypertension rates in the country
What is high blood pressure?
Hypertension is often called high blood pressure. When you are diagnosed with hypertension, this means your blood pressure is consistently higher than normal. Blood pressure is measured and recorded as two numbers separated by a horizontal line. The higher (top) number indicates systolic pressure, which is the amount of pressure present within blood vessels when the muscles in the heart contract to produce a normal heartbeat. The lower (bottom) number is called diastolic pressure, which is measured between heartbeats when the cardiac muscle is relaxed.
How can high blood pressure be managed?
Hypertension can be managed in several ways, depending on the cause and the individual. Lifestyle changes–such as maintaining a healthy diet that is low in sodium, exercising regularly, managing stress, and eliminating tobacco usage–may help to lower blood pressure or reduce the long-term effects of chronic hypertension. Monitoring blood pressure readings carefully can also provide you and your doctor with vital information about how your high blood pressure responds to these interventions, and whether you may require prescription medication to manage hypertension safely.
How can I prepare for my appointment?
Plan ahead and be sure to give your doctor all the information that you can. It’s important that you take the time to paint a full picture, telling the whole story. Keep a daily record of your mood and response to any medication, reporting any trends to your doctor. Click here for more patient information.
About AVALA Care
The AVALA Care team is here for patients of all ages. We treat patients from the age of 16 years old. While AVALA Care specializes in managing and preventing a variety of health conditions, patients who are pregnant or think they may be pregnant should consult a doctor who specializes in prenatal care for the duration of their pregnancy. Read more about AVALA.
Contact us
To learn more about how we can help you on your journey to wellness, contact us today. A representative will be in touch shortly.