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Hypertension services offered in Ewing, Hamilton Township, Old Bridge and Brick Township, NJ
Up to 47% of American adults have hypertension (high blood pressure), a potentially severe health problem. At AZZ Medical Associates in Old Bridge, Brick Township, Hamilton Township, and Ewing, New Jersey, the primary care providers specialize in diagnosing and treating hypertension. After an exam, they make personalized recommendations to reduce your blood pressure and keep your heart and blood vessels healthy. Call the nearest office today to receive treatment for hypertension, or book your appointment online.
Hypertension Q & A
What is hypertension?
Hypertension (high blood pressure) means the force of the blood pumping through your arteries is abnormally high. If you have hypertension, your heart has to work harder to pump blood, increasing your risk of more severe problems like heart attack and stroke.
What types of hypertension are there?
The AZZ Medical Associates team treats both types of hypertension:
Primary hypertension
Primary hypertension develops over an extended period. As you age, plaque builds up in your arteries, affecting your circulation and increasing your blood pressure.
Secondary hypertension
Secondary hypertension is a symptom of another health problem that develops suddenly and is often higher than primary hypertension. Common causes of secondary hypertension include thyroid problems, kidney disease, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
How often should I be screened for hypertension?
The AZZ Medical Associates team recommends everyone be screened for hypertension every two years. If you’re 40 or older or have a family history of high blood pressure and/or heart disease, annual checkups will be necessary.
After a review of your medical records and a physical exam, your provider will make personalized screening recommendations.
How is hypertension diagnosed?
Your AZZ Medical Associates provider reviews your medical history, asks about your health and lifestyle, and completes a physical exam. They listen to your heart with a stethoscope and take your blood pressure with an inflatable cuff and a pressure-measuring gauge.
Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg). This is based on the older measuring devices, a tube partially filled with mercury that rose and fell with the force of your heartbeat. Hg is the scientific symbol for mercury.
A blood pressure reading is made up of two numbers:
Systolic pressure (top number)
This number is the measure of the pressure of the blood in your arteries when your heart beats.
Diastolic pressure (bottom number)
This number is the measure of the pressure of the blood in your arteries between heartbeats.
You have hypertension if your reading is 130/80 mm/Hg or higher. Healthy blood pressure, on the other hand, is lower than 120/80 mm/Hg.
How is hypertension treated?
At AZZ Medical Associates, the team treats hypertension with healthy lifestyle changes and prescription medicine. It’s often possible to reduce your risk of heart disease by exercising regularly, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol, and getting good sleep.
If your blood pressure remains high or gets worse, your provider might prescribe:
- Diuretics
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Alpha-blockers
- Alpha-beta-blockers
- Beta-blockers
- Vasodilators
Your doctor could prescribe two or more medications; two blood pressure drugs tend to work better than one.
Call the nearest AZZ Medical Associates office today to receive hypertension treatment, or book your appointment online.