Northern Medical Group 
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Hypertension

Primary Care Practice located in Fishkill, Hopewell Junction, Poughkeepsie, and Wappinger Falls, NY

Man taking blood pressure

Hypertension services offered in Hopewell Junction, Poughkeepsie, Fishkill and Wappingers Falls, NY

About half of American adults have hypertension (high blood pressure). Though serious, the condition rarely presents symptoms, so you might not even realize you’re at risk. At Northern Medical Group, Primary Care Division, in Fishkill, Hopewell Junction, Poughkeepsie, and Wappinger Falls, New York, the primary care team specializes in diagnosing and treating hypertension. Call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about hypertension. 

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when the force of blood pumping through your arteries stays high for months or even years. Without intervention and treatment, high blood pressure damages your arteries and blood vessels, increasing the risk of a heart attack or stroke. 

There are various things you can do to keep your numbers within a healthy range and maintain better health. 

What are the types of hypertension?

At Northern Medical Group, Primary Care Division, the team diagnoses and treats both types of hypertension, including:

Primary hypertension

Primary hypertension develops slowly as you age. Often, it occurs due to lifestyle factors, like smoking, drinking alcohol, or living a sedentary lifestyle.

Secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension develops suddenly. It often occurs due to an underlying medical issue, like kidney or heart disease. 

Who is at risk of hypertension?

Anyone can experience hypertension, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

  • Being middle-aged or older
  • Smoking
  • Not exercising 
  • Eating a diet with lots of salt
  • Drinking too much alcohol
  • Stress

Certain underlying medical issues can also increase your risk of high blood pressure, including diabetes, kidney disease, and sleep apnea.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

To diagnose hypertension, the team reviews your medical records and completes a physical exam. During the exam, they listen to your heart and respiratory rate, and then take your blood pressure with an inflatable cuff that you wear around your arm and a pressure-measuring gauge. 

A result of 120/80 mm/Hg is a normal blood pressure reading. A result of 130/80 mm/Hg or higher means you have hypertension.

How is hypertension treated?

Treatment of hypertension depends on several factors, including your age, the severity of your reading, and if you have any underlying medical issues. The team might recommend:

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
  • Exercising regularly
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink
  • Keeping your stress in check

If these measures don’t reduce your blood pressure, they might prescribe medication. There are several types of medication used to treat hypertension, including diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers.

Call Northern Medical Group, Primary Care Division, today or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about hypertension.

Northern Medical Group