Hypertension
High blood pressure is common and often has no symptoms. It raises the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and eye damage. A primary care visit focuses on accurate blood pressure checks, risk review, lab work when needed, and a treatment plan that fits daily life. High blood pressure is defined as repeated readings of 130/80 mm Hg or higher.
Symptoms
Symptoms are often absent. Some people report headaches, dizziness, or blurry vision, but those are not reliable signs. This is why routine screening matters.
Causes and risk
Age, family history, excess sodium intake, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, alcohol use, and poor sleep all raise risk.
How it is evaluated
We review home and office readings, current medicines, diet, exercise, sleep, and stress. We may order labs to check kidney function, blood sugar, cholesterol, and urine protein.
Treatment
Treatment includes lifestyle changes, home monitoring, and medicine when needed. Many people do well with a DASH-style eating pattern, lower sodium intake, weight loss, regular exercise, and better sleep.