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Hypertension Specialist

Raritan Family Healthcare -  - Primary Care

Raritan Family Healthcare

Primary Care Practice & Family Medicine located in Raritan, NJ & Bedminister, NJ

Hypertension is a condition with such a lack of symptoms that you can have it for years without realizing it. At Raritan Family Healthcare in Raritan and Bedminster, New Jersey, primary care experts provide hypertension treatment and management services after taking your blood pressure readings. To schedule an appointment, call the closest office or book online today.

Hypertension Q & A

What is hypertension?

Hypertension is a common but largely symptomless condition that is often a symptom of another underlying condition, like illicit drug use, kidney disease, or thyroid disease. If you have hypertension without an identifiable cause like a drug or disease, it’s called primary hypertension and tends to worsen with age. 

Hypertension is another term for high blood pressure. Your blood pressure refers to the force of blood up against the walls of your blood vessels as your heart pumps it through your circulatory system. 

The higher your blood pressure, the higher your risk for cardiovascular complications like heart attack, heart failure, and stroke. 

How can I tell if I have hypertension?

Because hypertension sets in gradually and without symptoms, it’s nearly impossible to tell you have it without getting a blood pressure reading from your doctor’s office or pharmacy. Raritan Family Healthcare takes your blood pressure at the beginning of your visit using a cuff that goes around your arm.

The result of your reading is described by two numbers. The top number represents the systolic pressure, which is the pressure in your arteries as your heart pounds. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure, which is the pressure in your arteries between your heart’s pulsations.

If your blood pressure reading is consistently high, your provider may diagnose you with hypertension. They let you know of your treatment options and may prescribe some medications to manage your condition. 

What are my treatment options for hypertension?

Most cases of hypertension are treatable with lifestyle changes and possibly some medications. Medications that can help lower your blood pressure include:

  • Diuretics
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
  • Calcium channel blockers

If your hypertension doesn’t have a single, identifiable cause (such as a medication or chronic disease), you can lower it by reducing the sodium in your diet, getting more exercise, and reducing your alcohol consumption. 

The team at Raritan Family Healthcare offers nutritional counseling and can help you develop a heart-healthy diet plan. 

If you have hypertension due to a particular disease, like kidney disease or sleep apnea, managing the underlying cause should lower your blood pressure. 

To learn more about hypertension and its long-term effects on the body, call Raritan Family Healthcare or book an appointment online today.