Hypertension Specialist
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Silverstein Medical
Primary Care Practice located in Havre De Grace, MD
Hypertension is one of the most common conditions in America today, affecting millions of people every year. Left untreated, it can lead to a long list of severe complications, and it can develop for years without even presenting a symptom. Fortunately, it’s easy, painless, and fast to diagnose hypertension, and it can be managed and curtailed with early treatment. At their office in Havre de Grace, Maryland, Louis Silverstein, MD, and the Silverstein Medical team offer treatment for hypertension as well as high blood pressure screenings. Call Silverstein Medical today for more information, or make an appointment online.
Hypertension
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a chronic condition that can cause serious and even life-threatening complications, including heart disease and stroke. If you have hypertension, it means that the force of your blood pumping through your veins is putting too much pressure on the veins themselves. This pressure builds over time, puts extra strain on your heart, and damages blood vessels throughout your body.
A variety of conditions can cause hypertension, including kidney problems and sleep apnea, or it can appear for no identifiable reason. Treatment for hypertension can vary, but it typically revolves around lifestyle changes and medication along with regularly scheduled screenings to keep an eye on your blood pressure.
Who is at risk of developing hypertension?
Hypertension affects almost everyone eventually, but certain people are more likely to get hypertension early in life based on a number of risk factors. These risk factors include:
- Age - the older you get, the higher your risk of hypertension
- Race - people of African heritage are more likely to develop hypertension, and at greater risk of hypertension developing into a more serious illness
- Family history
- Being obese or overweight
- Alcohol and tobacco use
- Diet - people with diets high in fat and sodium are at risk of hypertension
- Stress
If you fit one or more of these risk factors, ask Dr. Silverstein about a blood pressure test to see if you may have hypertension.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
One of the reasons hypertension is so dangerous is that it can often develop for years without any symptoms at all. Some people report headaches, shortness of breath, or nosebleeds, but these symptoms usually don’t occur until your blood pressure has reached dangerous levels.
This lack of clear symptoms is why regular blood pressure screenings at Silverstein Medical are so important for detecting hypertension. These screenings are quick, noninvasive and can help you catch hypertension early enough to avoid dangerous complications.
If you’re worried you might have hypertension, or if you’d like to schedule a screening for high blood pressure, call Silverstein Medical today or make an appointment online.
