Hypertension

High blood pressure (hypertension) affects nearly one in two adults in the United States. In Apple Valley, California, Hisham Abukamleh, MD, can help manage your condition to prevent life-threatening problems. If you’re at risk of hypertension or have been diagnosed with this common health concern, schedule an appointment with Dr. Abukamleh by phone or request an appointment online today.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension, also called high blood pressure, is a condition that appears when pressure inside blood vessels is too high. The force pushing against blood vessel walls increases, and your heart must work harder to pump blood. Over time, high blood pressure can cause heart damage and increase the risk of a heart attack, heart disease, or stroke.

Can hypertension cause symptoms?

Hypertension typically doesn’t cause symptoms, but it can if blood pressure reaches dangerously high numbers. If this is the case, you may develop nosebleeds, headaches, or shortness of breath. Detecting hypertension before this point is vital to keeping your heart as healthy as possible. 

What may increase the risk of hypertension?

The following risk factors can boost the risk of developing hypertension:

• Aging
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Being overweight or obese
• Tobacco use
• Vaping
• Lack of exercise
• Excessive alcohol
• Stress
• Low potassium levels
• Excessive sodium intake
• Pregnancy 
• Chronic diseases

Your risk of high blood pressure increases due to chronic conditions like sleep apnea, diabetes, or kidney problems.

In addition to boosting the risk of a stroke or heart attack, untreated hypertension can cause heart failure, an aneurysm (a bulge in a blood vessel wall), eye or kidney issues, and even dementia. 

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Dr. Abukamleh can diagnose hypertension using a painless blood pressure cuff and a machine or stethoscope. He also weighs you, checks your vital signs, completes a physical exam, and may order heart function tests, blood testing, imaging procedures, or other diagnostic tests. He might also screen for high blood cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. 

How is hypertension treated?

Dr. Abukamleh treats hypertension with education about ways to reduce blood pressure using healthy lifestyle habits. He may also provide a medication prescription to keep your blood pressure levels under control. After adopting healthy habits and achieving an ideal weight, you may be able to stop taking hypertension medications.

If you have a heart complication because of hypertension, Dr. Abukamleh offers heart disease management or refers you to a heart specialist for care.

Schedule a hypertension screening with Hisham Abukamleh, MD, by calling the office or using the online booking feature today.