When is it time to see a doctor in Maryland for high blood pressure? The American Heart Association recommends working closely with your doctor to manage high blood pressure and monitor lifestyle changes.

Blood Pressure Matters

Blood pressure is the force of the blood against the walls of the arteries it flows through. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher your blood pressure. Unfortunately, you can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. But uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems such as:

·         Heart attack

·         Heart failure

·         Stroke

·         Damage to the heart, eyes, brain, and kidneys

·         Hardening and narrowing of the arteries which makes the heart work harder

·         Kidney disease

·         Dementia

·         Blindness

Fortunately, blood pressure is easily detected and once you know you have it, you can work closely with your provider to control it.

Testing for High Blood Pressure

Typically doctors recommend that adults have their blood pressure checked regularly to prevent issues later. Normally, this is a part of your routine visit. If you are over 40, or 18-39 and at higher risk, you should have a blood pressure reading at least once a year.

If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure or have other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, your doctor will recommend more frequent readings.

Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure has many risk factors including:

·         Age

·         Race

·         Family history

·         Being overweight

·         Sedentary lifestyle

·         Tobacco use

·         Too much sodium in your diet

·         Too little potassium in your diet

·         Too much alcohol consumption

·         Stress

·         Certain chronic conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and kidney disease

When to See a Doctor in Maryland for High Blood Pressure

You should seek immediate medical attention if your blood pressure is much higher than normal (such as 180/110) or if you think high blood pressure is causing symptoms like blurry vision or severe headache.

 Otherwise, you can schedule an appointment with your primary care doctor to discuss your symptoms. Contact Bowie Internal Medicine Association to learn more.