High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that if left untreated, can cause problems such as heart disease. Blood pressure is determined by how much blood your heart pumps and the resistance to blood flow in the arteries. Hypertension should be managed because when left unmanaged and untreated, it can be dangerous and cause lasting issues. Your doctors at Iowa Kidney Physicians in Des Moines, IA, can explain the dangers of hypertension and why you should be sure to keep it under control.
How Hypertension Can Cause Issues in Your Body
When hypertension is left untreated by your doctor in Des Moines, IA, it can cause further issues and increase your risk of serious heart problems. This could lead to heart attack or stroke and once these issues have happened, it makes everything harder to treat. Luckily, hypertension is easy to detect, and your doctor will be able to help you develop a plan to keep it under control.
Part of your routine checkup with your doctor will include a blood pressure reading. This helps detect any issues before they become severe and difficult to treat. Without these readings, you may not know if you are dealing with high blood pressure.
There are factors that can increase your risk of hypertension. Some of these factors include:
- Age
- Family history
- Being obese or overweight
- Being sedentary
- Tobacco use
- Abundance of sodium in the diet
- Alcohol overuse
- Not enough potassium
- Stress
- Chronic conditions
You may also start dealing with hypertension as a result of pregnancy.
Contact Your Doctor Today!
When hypertension is left untreated, it can cause severe health problems and lower your quality of life. Contact your doctors at Iowa Kidney Physicians in Des Moines, IA, to learn about hypertension and why it should be managed. Call for more information today at (515) 336-6557 for the office on Pleasant Street and (515) 243-3161 for the office on SW 7th Street.