High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a health topic that doesn’t get enough attention, yet it can have direct negative impacts on the lives of Houston, Texas, residents. At Texas Premier Physicians P.A., Bita Pour Jafari, MD, ABAARM, takes pride in educating patients about the risks of high blood pressure and helping them reach healthier levels. You can begin working with her by booking a visit online or over the phone.

What does it mean to have high blood pressure?

Every time your heart beats it pumps oxygenated blood into your arteries. This pumping effect creates pressure on your arterial walls. Blood pressure is measured both during a heartbeat (systolic) and in the pause between heartbeats (diastolic), represented as systolic/diastolic. 

A blood pressure reading of 120/80 is considered normal. As those measures exceed 130/80, you’re considered to have high blood pressure. The higher your readings, the higher your risk level for numerous serious health problems. 

Blood pressure fluctuates throughout the day. It can rise during times of stress and fall while resting. The best way to determine if you have high blood pressure is a combination of readings by a health professional and at-home readings. You can purchase simple blood pressure measuring devices online or in stores. 

How can reducing high blood pressure improve my health and wellness?

Hypertension increases your risk of many serious health problems, some of which can shorten your lifespan. Left untreated, high blood pressure can lead to:

• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Gallbladder disease
• Stroke
• Sexual dysfunction
• Vision loss
• Aneurysm
• Dementia
• Metabolic syndrome

This is far from a comprehensive list. Hypertension is often referred to as a “silent killer” because if you aren’t getting screened, the first sign you have high blood pressure could be a life-threatening condition. 

Are medications or lifestyle improvements better for controlling high blood pressure?

It depends on your overall health and your blood pressure levels. For some, medication is necessary to bring blood pressure under control quickly and avoid serious health complications. 

However, medication is never a stand-alone solution for hypertension. Changing your daily diet and exercise habits can lead to dramatic improvements in your blood pressure readings and your overall health and wellness. Dr. Jafari can help you find ways to boost your nutrition and get more physical activity, regardless of whether you need medication. 

You may be surprised to learn that it doesn’t take extreme exercise or highly restrictive diet plans to achieve measurable improvement in your blood pressure. Finding ways to manage stress and improve your sleep quality can also be very beneficial. 

When you’re ready to begin, booking a visit is as simple as a quick phone call or a visit to the online scheduling page.