According to the CDC, nearly half the American adult population has hypertension. It is a serious and chronic illness that can shorten the lifespan if it goes unmanaged. That is why the team at Iowa Kidney Physicians wants you to understand how to reduce your risk for hypertension in Des Moines, IA. Proper care and patient education can help with better detection and management.

What Is Hypertension and Why Early Detection Matters?

Hypertension is the formal name for high blood pressure. When the heart has to work harder to pump blood through your veins, it results in hypertension. As a result, this cardiovascular disease stresses your heart, blood vessels, and arteries. It can lead to a list of other health issues, ranging from heart attack to coronary artery disease to stroke. It can also cause renal failure. Early screening and detection can help patients manage their blood pressure before it gets out of control. Patients can alter their lifestyle by improving their diet, becoming more active, losing weight, and seeing what may trigger high blood pressure readings.

Who Is At Risk?

Your risk for hypertension in Des Moines, IA, can increase with weight gain. That is why losing a few pounds and becoming more active can cause your blood pressure to go down. If you are a smoker, heavy drinker, or have a family history of this ailment, you are at elevated risk for this cardiovascular disease. Hypertension is also something linked to other chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Mind your stress levels, as stress can quickly elevate blood pressure levels.

How Can Doctors Help?

When you visit the doctors at Iowa Kidney Physicians, they will put you through a series of test screenings to see just how high or low your blood pressure is. Your doctor can advise you on the ideal lifestyle modifications and refer you to a nutritionist. Physicians are vital to patient education about managing high blood pressure and explaining the reasons why they may have gotten it. There are a range of blood pressure medications on the market that can help certain patients. Telemonitoring can also help doctors track patients whose blood pressure may get out of control.

You should take a high-risk diagnosis of hypertension in Des Moines, IA, seriously. The doctors at Iowa Kidney Physicians are here for you and want to help prevent or effectively treat this chronic disease. We have two offices in the city, and you can call either one at (515) 336-6557 for a consultation today.