Few things pose a greater risk to your health than high blood pressure, but many people are unaware they have the condition. For those in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Alfredo Alexander, DMD, offers blood pressure screenings through his self-titled practice that can help you understand your risk level and when to take action to protect your health. Scheduling a visit at Alfredo Alexander DMD is as simple as a phone call or a visit to the online booking page.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health risk that can cause widespread health problems. To understand high blood pressure, it helps to think about how your circulatory system moves blood throughout your body.
Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into your arteries. That places a degree of force against the arterial walls. When your arteries become weakened or damaged, or when plaque builds up and causes the walls to stiffen and narrow, your heart has to work harder to move blood into the rest of your body.
Blood pressure is measured during each heartbeat (systolic) and in the pause between heartbeats (diastolic). Readings below 120 systolic and 80 diastolic are considered normal. Anything above 130/80 is considered hypertension, and readings above 180/120 are considered a hypertensive crisis and a medical emergency.
Dr. Alexander is passionate about helping members of his community take charge of their health and wellness journeys, which is why he offers blood pressure screenings to give you insight into your blood pressure and empower you to take steps to improve your health and wellness.
It’s difficult to overstate the damage that high blood pressure can cause to your health and wellness. Virtually every organ and system in your body is negatively affected when you have high blood pressure.
Some of the health risks linked to high blood pressure include:
This is far from a comprehensive list. Your risk of many health problems rises as your blood pressure readings increase.
Fortunately, there are numerous treatments that can help bring your blood pressure under control. If Dr. Alexander or your primary care physician determines you have high blood pressure, medications can help bring your readings down to healthier levels.
It often takes a combination of medications to achieve optimal results. You might need to try various combinations to find the best balance, so be patient during this stage of the process.
You can also reduce your blood pressure by making meaningful lifestyle improvements. If you struggle with your weight, find a weight loss program that works for you. Introducing more fruit and vegetables into your diet and finding ways to increase your daily activity levels will help.
If you smoke, make every effort to quit the habit for good. Not only will your blood pressure improve, you’ll feel better each day, and your dental health will also likely improve.
If you have questions about your blood pressure or would like a screening, call the office to schedule a visit or book online in just moments.
