Hypertension affects 1 in 3 American adults and is the leading modifiable risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and kidney failure. Because it causes no symptoms until damage is done, it's called the 'silent killer.' Regular monitoring and proper management at Viva Medical Center can prevent these outcomes entirely.
Understanding Your Numbers
Normal: below 120/80 mmHg. Elevated: 120–129/below 80. High Blood Pressure Stage 1: 130–139/80–89. Stage 2: 140+/90+. Hypertensive crisis: above 180/120 (seek emergency care immediately).
How We Treat It
- Lifestyle modification: DASH diet, sodium reduction, exercise, weight management
- First-line medications: ACE inhibitors, ARBs, thiazide diuretics, calcium channel blockers
- Combination therapy for resistant hypertension
- Home blood pressure monitoring guidance
- Regular 24-hour ambulatory monitoring when indicated
Complications We Prevent
- Heart attack and heart failure
- Stroke
- Chronic kidney disease
- Retinopathy (vision loss)
- Peripheral artery disease