High Blood Pressure Specialist
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Gulf West Medical Associates
Rajesh B Dave, MD
Internal Medicine & Primary Care located in Port Richey, FL
High blood pressure is a silent killer because it can cause a potentially fatal heart attack or stroke without any noticeable symptoms beforehand. If you don’t know what your blood pressure is, board-certified internist Rajesh Dave, MD, of Gulf West Medical Associates in Port Richey, Florida, can help. Dr. Dave is an experienced physician who can carry out regular blood pressure checks, which is the only way to be sure you have your blood pressure under control. Call the office in Port Richey, Florida, today to arrange a blood pressure check or book an appointment online.
High Blood Pressure Q&A
What is high blood pressure?
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is behind some of the most serious health problems you can face, yet it causes no apparent symptoms. Untreated high blood pressure can lead to:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Heart failure
- Kidney failure
- Sight loss
Because high blood pressure doesn’t cause symptoms, the first you might know of any problem could be a potentially life-threatening event like a heart attack. Fortunately, Dr. Dave can measure your blood pressure quickly and easily, so attending regular checkups is the best way to avoid any complications from high blood pressure.
How is blood pressure measured?
Dr. Dave measures your blood pressure using an inflatable cuff that goes around your arm. By inflating the cuff, Dr. Dave can measure the pressure of the blood in your arteries when your heart beats, which is called the systolic reading, and in between beats, which is called the diastolic reading.
Your blood pressure reading, therefore, consists of two numbers. Normal blood pressure would be 120 systolic and 80 diastolic or below, which is expressed as 120 over 80. If you have elevated blood pressure, your systolic reading would be between 120 and 129, and your diastolic would be below 80.
Elevated readings indicate you’re at risk of developing high blood pressure if you don’t get treatment — readings of 130 to 139 systolic or between 80 and 90 diastolic means you have high blood pressure. If your blood pressure rises above 140 systolic or 90 diastolic, your health is in grave danger.
How is high blood pressure treated?
The most important way in which you can reduce your blood pressure is to lead a healthier lifestyle. That includes:
- Healthy diet
- Reduced salt intake
- Regular exercise
- Losing weight
- Quitting smoking
- Managing stress
- Limiting alcohol
Making these changes can have a significant effect on high blood pressure, and many patients don’t need any other treatment. If your blood pressure is at a dangerous level, you might need to take medication to help lower the pressure.
A regular blood pressure check with Dr. Dave is one of the most effective ways to prevent serious ill-health. To schedule your blood pressure check, call Gulf West Medical Associates today or book an appointment online.
