Blood pressure management

Consider blood pressure management if you’re one of the more than 122 million Americans with high blood pressure (hypertension). Small changes can keep your blood pressure in check and reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. At AssociatesMD, with offices in Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Fort Lauderdale, Davie, Weston, Margate, and Dania Beach, Florida, the team provides blood pressure management to adults. Call the nearest office to schedule a blood pressure management consultation, or book your appointment online today. 

What is blood pressure management?

Blood pressure management is a specialty of the primary care team at AssociatesMD. They have the cardiology knowledge to diagnose and treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is called “the silent killer” and rarely presents symptoms, so you might be at risk and not know it. 

Blood pressure management aims to identify high blood pressure early on before it causes more severe health problems. A combination of healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medication can help lower your blood pressure and improve your quality of life.

Who should consider blood pressure management?

Consider blood pressure management at AssociatesMD if you have high blood pressure, especially if you’re 40 or older or have a family history of high blood pressure. Plus, if you have a diagnosis of a medical condition that increases your risk of high blood pressure, like diabetes, a management plan is beneficial. 

Since high blood pressure rarely presents symptoms, it’s good to get your blood pressure checked at every doctor visit. Routine checkups at AssociatesMD provide peace of mind and keep your heart healthy. 

What does a blood pressure management consultation involve?

Your AssociatesMD provider reviews your medical records and asks about your lifestyle, including how often you exercise, whether you drink alcohol, and if you smoke. Answer each question honestly; your provider won’t judge you, but your answers provide insights into your health.

Next, your provider measures your blood pressure with a blood pressure monitor. A blood pressure monitor has an inflatable cuff and a pressure-measuring gauge. 

A blood pressure reading features two numbers and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg). A normal blood pressure reading is 120/80 (mm/Hg), according to the American Heart Association. A higher reading indicates high blood pressure and an increased risk of heart disease. 

Your provider takes your blood pressure several times during your visit because blood pressure fluctuates daily. If they confirm you have high blood pressure, they make personalized treatment recommendations to prevent it from worsening.

What treatments are part of blood pressure management to lower it?

The AssociatesMD team takes a conservative and integrative approach to blood pressure management and getting your numbers to a healthier level. Often, lifestyle changes like regular exercise, stress reduction activities, and an improved diet can keep your blood pressure within the healthy range.

If your blood pressure remains high even after lifestyle changes, the team might prescribe one or more medications, including:

• Water pills (diuretics)
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
• Calcium channel blockers
• Alpha-blockers
• Beta-blockers
• Alpha-beta blockers
• Vasodilators

Some people with high blood pressure benefit from two or more medications. The team monitors your blood pressure at routine checkups and adjusts your treatment plan as needed to ensure optimal health. 

Call the nearest AssociatesMD office to schedule a high blood pressure management consultation, or book your appointment online today.