High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common but serious condition that increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. At AZ Cardiology, serving Peoria, Prescott, Cottonwood, Flagstaff, and Prescott Valley, Kishlay Anand, MD, MS, FHRS, and Tanvi Sachar, MS, PhD, Chief of Staff, provide thorough evaluations and personalized treatments to help patients manage blood pressure. The practice focuses on education, lifestyle changes, and advanced therapies to keep your heart healthy. Call AZ Cardiology today or schedule a consultation online to ensure your blood pressure is under control.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure happens when the force of blood pushing against your artery walls stays too high over time. This puts extra stress on your heart and blood vessels, which can lead to serious health problems like heart disease, stroke, or kidney damage.

Dr. Anand and his colleagues at AZ Cardiology help you understand your blood pressure numbers and keep your heart healthy.

What causes high blood pressure?

There are many reasons why someone might develop high blood pressure. Sometimes, there’s no single cause; this is called essential hypertension. But certain factors make it more likely, including:

• Family history of high blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese
• Eating too much salt
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Not getting enough exercise
• Smoking
• Stress

Certain health issues, like kidney disease, thyroid problems, or sleep apnea, can also cause high blood pressure. This is known as secondary hypertension.

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

One of the challenging aspects of high blood pressure is that it often doesn’t cause any noticeable symptoms. It’s often called the silent killer because many people don’t know they have it until it causes serious complications.

In some cases, people with very high blood pressure may experience:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• Shortness of breath
• Nosebleeds

However, these symptoms don’t always appear, so it’s essential to check your blood pressure regularly, especially if you have risk factors.

How is high blood pressure treated?

AZ Cardiology uses the least invasive approach possible when commencing high blood pressure treatment. Lifestyle changes are often the first step, such as:

• Eating a heart-healthy diet (low in salt and rich in fruits and vegetables)
• Exercising regularly
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Limiting alcohol
• Quitting smoking
• Managing stress through relaxation techniques or counseling

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, Dr. Anand may prescribe medications to lower your blood pressure. There are many types of blood pressure medicines, and he focuses on finding the one that’s right for you.

Dr. Anand and his colleagues offer comprehensive blood pressure evaluations and personalized treatment plans. They monitor your progress, adjust your treatment as needed, and give you the support you need to protect your heart.

Schedule an appointment with AZ Cardiology to take control of your blood pressure and lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Call your nearest office or use the online booking feature today.