Hypertension, which is also called high blood pressure, is a common but potentially dangerous circulatory condition that develops gradually. It can have no symptoms while it causes a negative impact on your heart and blood vessels over time.
Fortunately, many interventions can help you effectively control this condition, including medication and lifestyle changes. Let’s talk about how a primary care physician can guide you toward the right blood pressure treatments for you.
Strategies to Control High Blood Pressure
In someone who has hypertension, blood encounters some resistance as it flows throughout your blood vessels. To compensate, your heart will try to pump harder, but the consistently high pressure against your artery walls can eventually cause damage to your cardiovascular system.
Treating high blood pressure always involves lifestyle changes which are meant to reduce the load on your heart and arteries. If you have above-average weight, your primary care physician may recommend that you undergo a weight loss program to decrease the stress on your heart.
Regular exercise will help you to strengthen your heart – after all, it is a muscle. Dietary modifications, such as reducing your sodium intake, prevents excessive water retention that can make it more difficult for your heart to pump blood.
Excessive stress can also raise your blood pressure. As such, stress management can help you control your blood pressure.
Prescription Blood Pressure Medications
There are several categories of hypertension medication. Each type acts through a different mechanism to decrease blood pressure.
One line of treatment consists of diuretics, which help your body eliminate excess water and sodium. This action decreases blood volume, thereby reducing the stress on your cardiovascular system.
Some medicines for high blood pressure relax your blood vessels in order to allow your heart to beat less forcefully, further lowering your blood pressure.
Your primary care physician can help you get the best results from your blood pressure medicine while reducing side effects. They can also change your prescription as necessary if you encounter any issues.
Primary Care for Hypertension in the Midlands of South Carolina
Through regular checkups with your primary care doctor, you’ll be able to monitor your condition over the years and adjust your strategies accordingly. Because your primary care physician knows your condition well, they can adjust your blood pressure treatment to increase efficacy or reduce side effects. We will work with you to determine the right medication and other techniques to keep your condition under control.
Located in Irmo, South Carolina, SC Internal Medicine Associates & Rehabilitation offers compassionate and patient-centered care. Our medical team builds long-lasting professional relationships with our patients to enable positive and holistic approaches to their health.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced primary care physicians, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (803) 749-1111 or fill out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
