Don’t let high blood pressure sneak up on you How’s your blood pressure? For your health’s sake, you should know. “Blood pressure is an important vital sign,” says Cardiologist Deval Mehta, MD, FACC. “It is a measure of the amount of pressure in our arteries.” High blood pressure, or hypertension, is when that pressure is too strong. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. But left untreated, it can lead to stroke, heart disease and kidney disease. The good news? “Controlling blood pressure is possible with a combination of lifestyle changes and medications,” Dr. Mehta says. “You can reduce the risk of these adverse events by managing your blood pressure well.” Get it checked Severe high blood pressure can sometimes trigger headaches and visual disturbances. But for the most part, getting your blood pressure checked is the only way to know if it’s elevated. If your blood pressure numbers are high, you’ll need to get checked again to confirm whether it’s a persistent problem. Under current guidelines, high blood pressure is when the top (systolic) number in a blood pressure reading is 130 or above and the bottom (diastolic) number is 80 or higher. Take control If you have high blood pressure, your provider may prescribe medications to help lower it. Dr. Mehta also stresses the importance of lifestyle changes, such as exercising, maintaining a healthy weight, choosing a plant-rich diet and avoiding excessive alcohol. “Most fruits and vegetables are high in potassium,” Dr. Mehta says. “They have very little sodium, and they have other natural materials that will help you reduce the blood pressure.” A new blood pressure treatment If you’re still having trouble controlling your blood pressure, you may benefit from a procedure called denervation that will soon be available at Texas Health Huguley Hospital. This nonsurgical procedure helps lower blood pressure by treating nerves in the arteries of the kidneys with radiofrequency energy. These renal nerves help regulate blood pressure. “This procedure will be for people who are having difficulty controlling their blood pressure despite being compliant with their medication,” Dr. Mehta says. Now, isn’t it time you checked your blood pressure? Know your numbers Dr. Mehta is dedicated to educating patients about their health and empowering them to make healthy decisions. For an appointment, visit TexasHealthHuguley.org/Mehta. Spring 2025 5
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