If you are having trouble managing your high blood pressure, the team at Iowa Kidney Physicians can help with your hypertension in Des Moines, IA.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

The heart's beat sends oxygenated blood through your blood vessels to all the organs and tissues of the body. There is pressure when the heart pumps the blood out, which is systolic pressure. When the heart rests between beats, this is the diastolic pressure. These two figures create your blood pressure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. It depends on which guidelines your doctor adheres to when it is identified as high blood pressure. It is either 140/90 or 130/80. Between normal and high blood pressure is elevated blood pressure, which should be monitored.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

Part of managing high blood pressure is knowing what causes it. Choices you make can raise your risk. For example, if your diet is high in sodium and low in magnesium, this can result in elevated blood pressure. Sodium is hidden in processed food and food eaten in restaurants, but not so much in your salt shaker. Having a condition like diabetes also increases your risk of hypertension in Des Moines, IA.

Ways To Manage Blood Pressure

Diet is one of the first things to address when managing blood pressure. You should eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, nuts, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, fish and chicken without skin, and vegetable oils. Limit red meat, sodium, and sweets. Read labels and avoid processed food whenever possible. Getting regular physical exercise is an important part of managing blood pressure. You should aim for about 150 minutes of exercise a week. Combining diet and exercise will help you to maintain a healthy weight.

Stress can be a serious factor in causing high blood pressure, and it is not quite as easy to manage as diet and exercise. Limit alcohol consumption, stop smoking, and learn to recognize the things you can control. Yoga and meditation can help.

If you have tried your best to manage your blood pressure without success, your doctor can prescribe medication to help. By combining your efforts with medication, you can control your blood pressure.

When To Seek Help

When you suffer from hypertension in Des Moines, IA, you can count on Iowa Kidney Physicians, where our team of board-certified and fellowship-trained nephrologists will treat your condition. To make an appointment, call our Methodist Plaza office at (515) 336-6557 or Riverpoint at (515) 243-3161 or one of our outreach clinics, which bring kidney care to rural areas. Check our website for locations.