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Hypertension

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Concierge Medicine and Wellness

Frank Mazza, MD

Primary Care Physician & Aesthetics located in Richmond, TX

Hypertension

Hypertension is high blood pressure. If you suffer from hypertension, your chances of suffering a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, vision loss, and other serious health conditions are increased considerably. When hypertension isn’t controlled, it can be fatal.

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What do my blood pressure numbers mean?

  • Your blood pressure reading, which is expressed in a pair of numbers such as 120/80 mmHg, reflects the force of your blood on your artery walls. The first figure is your systolic blood pressure, the pressure during heartbeats, and the other figure is your diastolic blood pressure, your pressure between heartbeats.

Healthy blood pressure

  • Ideal blood pressure is under 120/80 mmHg, with both numbers being under. So, 119/79 (or lower) is what you’re aiming for in most cases.

Elevated blood pressure

  • Elevated blood pressure is 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic. If you regularly have blood pressure in this range, it’s sometimes called prehypertension. 

Stage 1 hypertension

  • Stage 1 hypertension is blood pressure of 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic. 

Stage 2 hypertension

  • Stage 2 hypertension is blood pressure of 140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic. 

  • A hypertensive crisis occurs when your blood pressure is higher than 180 systolic and/or higher than 120 diastolic. A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency.

What is my risk for hypertension?

  • Your Concierge Medicine and Wellness care provider checks your blood pressure at every appointment. During your annual comprehensive physicals, your care provider also does a hypertension risk screening. Your risk for hypertension is increased if:

    • Your blood pressure is regularly elevated

    • You have diabetes

    • You’re obese

    • You’re a smoker

    • You drink alcohol excessively

    • Your diet is high in salt

    • You have a sedentary lifestyle

  • Other risk factors, such as family history of hypertension, race, and age, aren’t controllable. Your Concierge Medicine and Wellness care provider can help you manage the controllable risk factors to avoid hypertension. 

How can I lower my blood pressure?

  • Diet and exercise changes are extremely important in lowering your blood pressure. By working with your Concierge Medicine and Wellness care provider, you might be able to control your blood pressure with lifestyle changes alone. But, oral medication can help in situations in which your blood pressure doesn’t respond to those changes. Your care provider tailors a hypertension management plan just for you. 

Schedule your appointment online or by calling Concierge Medicine and Wellness today!

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