Hypertension Specialist
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Geeta Vaze, MD
Internist located in Huntingdon Valley, PA
Over 75 million people in the United States are dealing with hypertension, and many of them don’t even know they have it. That’s why hypertension, the third-leading cause of death among Americans, is known as the silent killer. At her Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, internal medicine practice, Dr. Geeta Vaze offers both accurate diagnostics and treatment for hypertension. She also provides resources to help men and women prevent the development of this condition to ensure a long and healthy life. To learn more about treating hypertension, schedule an appointment online or by phone.
Hypertension
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition where the force of your blood against the walls of your arteries is higher than normal.
While your blood pressure typically increases and decreases throughout the day, extended periods of high blood pressure can lead to long-term health complications, including heart disease, heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and even death.
What causes hypertension?
There are two main categories of hypertension: primary and secondary. There is no identifiable cause in cases of primary hypertension. Secondary hypertension cases are usually traced to an underlying condition, including:
- Stress
- Thyroid conditions
- Birth defects
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Alcohol or drug abuse
Certain medications, including birth control, cold medicines, and over-the-counter pain relievers, can also lead to higher-than-normal blood pressure.
What are the symptoms of hypertension?
Usually, hypertension has no symptoms, which is how it got its “silent killer” nickname. You can have hypertension for many years without having any indication of it. Only when blood pressure is severe enough to cause damage to your organs will symptoms appear, such as lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting.
Because there are no symptoms, it’s important to see Dr. Vaze for routine wellness visits where she can monitor your blood pressure and identify issues early on.
Dr. Vaze may also recommend more frequent visits for blood pressure monitoring if you have a history of hypertension, or a family history of the condition.
What treatment options are available for hypertension?
Dr. Vaze offers a variety of treatment options to manage high blood pressure levels. Initially, she encourages lifestyle changes to reduce your blood pressure naturally. These changes may include:
- Quitting smoking
- Exercising daily
- Limiting alcohol use
- Eating a healthy, low-salt diet
Practicing relaxation techniques to reduce your stress can also be effective at lowering blood pressure.
If these lifestyle changes aren’t effective in managing persistent high blood pressure levels, Dr. Vaze may recommend medications to widen or relax your blood vessels and reduce the pressure.
Dr. Vaze also provides resources to prevent hypertension from affecting your health. These resources include guidance about diet and exercise and the importance of stress management. She also encourages regular health checkups to identify hypertension and other underlying medical conditions that affect your heart health.
To learn more about available treatments for hypertension, schedule an appointment online or by calling the office.