Hypertension (high blood pressure) is a common condition that can lead to serious complications if untreated. Hypertension is diagnosed when 2 office based readings are more than or equal to 140/90 systolic/diastolic.

Over 90 % of people have essential hypertension while the rest could be because of rare conditions like hormonal in-balance, tumors and medication induced. Nonpharmalogic measures like, dietary changes, weight loss, stopping smoking, reducing stress, reducing alcohol consumption and exercising regularly can be very effective and it can improve the effectiveness of high blood pressure medication.

Reducing sodium intake lowers blood pressure, when sodium intake is lowered from 4000 mg to 2000 mg blood pressure falls by 2 to 3 mmHg and over several years the reduction maybe as great as 10 mmHg.

People who have more than 2 alcoholic drinks per day have a one to two fold increase in the incidence of high blood pressure.

Eating more fish, low saturated fat and more fiber on an average of 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day could have a significant reduction in blood pressure.

Chronic caffeine can cause a small elevation in blood pressure.

Weight loss can reduce blood pressure by about 1mmHg for every 2.2 pounds of weight loss.

Because no two patient are exactly alike its is important to schedule an appointment with our providers to discuss your particular medical condition.