Why is Blood Pressure Important to Check?

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: June 29, 2016

Every time that your heart beats, it pushes your blood throughout your entire body. The blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it rushes to supply your body with oxygen and nourishing nutrients. This pressure against the walls is referred to as your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is too high, it puts unnecessary strain on your arteries and your heart too. High blood pressure can lead to strokes and heart attacks/disease.

Unfortunately, there are really no physical signs of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. You probably remember the cuff that your doctor’s nurse will place around your upper arm during office visits. It squeezes pretty tightly in order to measure your blood pressure. This is one way to diagnose someone with hypertension. During this test, your doctor or nurse will tell you two numbers. It will be referred to as “number” over “number”. The first number (top) is called the systolic. The systolic represents your blood pressure at its highest point during each heartbeat. The second number (bottom) is the diastolic. The diastolic represents your blood pressure when it is at its lowest level in between heartbeats. The combination of the two of these will tell your doctor whether you have high, normal, or low blood pressure.

If your doctor feels that you need a more in-depth testing of your blood pressure, he may recommend a 24-hour blood pressure cuff. Measuring your pressure at one time of the day may not be enough for your doctor to get the most accurate reading. A 24-hour test will be able to monitor your levels over a longer period of time, providing a more accurate reading of your systolic and diastolic.

If your doctor has determined that you have hypertension, he may prescribe blood pressure medicine. He might also recommend lifestyle changes such losing weight, exercise, a healthier diet, and to abstain from alcohol and tobacco.

The physicians at Tampa Cardiology Associates are well trained in diagnosing and treating those with hypertension. To schedule an appointment for a consultation, please call us at 813-975-2800 or contact us online at TampaCardio.com

Posted by: Tampa Cardio

On: 29/06/2016

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