Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries is consistently too high.
Risk Factors:
Although there is no one cause of hypertension, common risk factors include:
- Inactivity
- Poor diet
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Genetics and race (Black Americans are at a higher risk)
- Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease.
Blood pressure also typically starts creeping up as we get older.
Symptoms:
High blood pressure often has no signs or symptoms, but routine checks of your blood pressure will help detect increasing levels. However, in some cases, individuals may experience symptoms, especially when blood pressure reaches dangerously high levels.
Screening:
High blood pressure is diagnosed primarily through blood pressure measurement, typically using an inflatable cuff on the arm. Free screenings are held throughout the year at various locations across Suffolk County.
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Learn More From Our Experts
Know Your Numbers: Why Blood Pressure Matters
Learn more about high blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common but often symptomless. Many people are unaware they have, significantly increasing the risk of serious conditions like heart disease and stroke, making regular screening essential since it is a preventable and controllable risk factor.