Hypertension

About half of Americans have high blood pressure (hypertension). Because hypertension is a silent disease that can cause life-threatening events like heart attack and stroke, Clinica Latina helps patients detect, monitor, and treat it effectively before a crisis happens. We have one conveniently located office in Irving, Texas, so reach out by phone or click on the online scheduling link to book your appointment today.

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a chronic condition affecting almost half of Americans today. It occurs when the blood pressure in your arteries is higher than it should be. 

Hypertension can have severe effects on your health and can be life-threatening if untreated. Some of the medical crises that could occur because of untreated hypertension include:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Vascular dementia
• Heart failure
• Memory loss
• Vision loss
• Kidney failure

People with hypertension are about twice as likely to develop diabetes, and combined hypertension and diabetes raises your risk of heart disease fourfold. 

Because hypertension doesn’t cause symptoms, you might never know you have it until experiencing a crisis like a heart attack. Unfortunately, Hispanic adults are the race-ethnic group with the highest incidence of poorly-controlled hypertension. Clinica Latina is working to change that through regular hypertension screenings and care. 

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Hypertension is diagnosed in the Clinica Latina office. An inflatable blood pressure cuff generates a two-number reading, including systolic (blood pressure when your heart beats) and diastolic (blood pressure between heartbeats).

What is a healthy blood pressure?

Your systolic blood pressure is the first number and the diastolic the second. The American Heart Association defines normal blood pressure as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80 (less than 120/80 mm Hg). 

Blood pressure is elevated, but not yet hypertension, at 120-129 systolic and less than 80 diastolic. 

Blood pressure of 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic is stage 1 hypertension. Blood pressure of  140 or higher systolic or 90 or higher diastolic is stage 2 hypertension. 

A hypertensive crisis (a medical emergency) occurs when blood pressure is 180 or higher systolic or 120 or higher diastolic.

What causes hypertension?

Hypertension can occur because of underlying health problems (secondary hypertension) or for unknown causes. But, risk factors are well-known and include age, poor diet, extra weight, excessive salt in your diet, diabetes, smoking, genetics, and many others.

Controlling factors like your diet and smoking are key in treating and preventing hypertension, as is good control of conditions like diabetes. If you have hypertension, you may also need a statin medication that works alongside lifestyle changes to lower your blood pressure. 

Clinica Latina helps patients prevent health crises through expert hypertension care. Book an appointment online or call the office today.