High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure can affect you for years without your knowledge, which is one of many reasons why routine wellness care is important. At his private practice in Flossmoor, Illinois, board-certified internist Sameh Nabelsi, MD, reads your blood pressure during every office visit. To find out more about high blood pressure and how to avoid or manage it, call Sameh Nabelsi, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure or hypertension is a common chronic condition that can damage your heart and arteries over time. It causes your heart to work harder to pump blood through your body.

Characterized by a high force of blood against the insides of your blood vessels, high blood pressure has several stages:

Elevated blood pressure

If Dr. Nabelsi tells you that you have elevated blood pressure, it’s a sign that you should start taking steps to manage your blood pressure before it gets higher. Although it’s milder than the other stages, it can still lead to later complications. 

Stage 1 hypertension

Stage 1 hypertension may respond very well to lifestyle changes, but Dr. Nabelsi considers medications too. This stage is incurable but you can control the condition with dedicated care. 

Stage 2 hypertension

Stage 2 hypertension is the most severe stage. It often reaches this point because it has gone undiagnosed for a long time. It’s most common in people who cannot access or don’t get regular health care. 

How is high blood pressure detected?

High blood pressure almost never causes any symptoms, which is why it takes many people a long time to realize they have it. During your routine visits to Sameh Nabelsi, MD, Dr. Nabelsi reads your blood pressure using a blood pressure monitor. He can interpret the numbers and tell you which stage of hypertension you have. 

Additional diagnostic testing can help detect underlying conditions that cause or contribute to your hypertension, including an echocardiogram or various blood and urine tests. 

What can I do to lower my high blood pressure?

The goal of your care plan from Dr. Nabelsi is to lower your blood pressure into a safer and healthier range. Treating your hypertension helps you avoid severe high blood pressure complications like heart attacks, strokes, and aneurysms. 

Dr. Nabelsi encourages you to make healthy changes to your lifestyle, including cutting back on alcohol consumption and taking the necessary steps to stop smoking. He also encourages you to exercise often and to consume a healthy, balanced diet. 

Some people need to take medications to lower their blood pressure because lifestyle changes aren’t enough to make a meaningful difference. If medications you’re already taking are causing your high blood pressure, Dr. Nabelsi may be able to adjust or replace them. 

Call Sameh Nabelsi, MD, or book an appointment online to find out if you have high blood pressure or are at risk today.