Hypertension Specialist
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Kenilworth Primary Care
Bhavani Jeereddy, MD
Board Certified Internist & Clinical Lipidology Specialist located in Kenilworth, NJ
Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because this disease damages the arteries without causing any noticeable symptoms. At Kenilworth Primary Care, Bhavani Jeereddy, MD, performs blood pressure screenings at almost every visit to catch hidden hypertension. Call the practice located in Kenilworth, New Jersey, today, or use the online booking feature to set up an appointment at your convenience.
Hypertension Q & A
How do you measure blood pressure?
Bhavani Jeereddy, MD, primarily uses a blood pressure cuff (sphygmomanometer) to check your blood pressure. This test measures the force of your blood against your artery walls.
A blood pressure reading represents your systolic blood pressure over your diastolic blood pressure. Systolic pressure is the pressure during a heartbeat, and diastolic pressure is the pressure during the rest period between beats.
The harder your heart pumps and the narrower your blood vessels are, the higher your blood pressure is. Over time, high blood pressure can cause considerable damage to your arteries.
What is hypertension?
When you have hypertension, your blood pressure is consistently high. Dr. Jeereddy takes multiple blood pressure readings at different appointments to verify hypertension.
Blood pressure readings of 120/80 are considered normal. Any number higher than that could indicate a problem. Readings in the following ranges help Dr. Jeereddy make a diagnosis:
- Elevated: 120-129 over 80 or less
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130-139 over 80-89
- Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher over 90 or higher
- Hypertension crisis: 180 or higher over 120 or higher
Measurements in these ranges are a cause for concern, so Dr. Jeereddy may recommend lifestyle modifications that aim to lower your blood pressure.
What are the risks associated with high blood pressure?
High blood pressure often carries no symptoms, so this condition can cause extensive damage to your arteries before you even know you have it.
The damage hypertension causes can lead to:
- Atherosclerosis: thickening and hardening of the arteries
- Heart failure: thickening causes the heart to deliver inadequate blood supply to the body
- Heart attack or stroke: a blockage cuts off blood supply to the heart or brain
- Kidney disease: damage to arteries around the kidneys limits their ability to filter blood
- Vision loss: excessive pressure to the blood vessels in the eyes strains them
To avoid long-term or permanent health consequences, Dr. Jeereddy works with you to lower your blood pressure.
How do you treat hypertension?
Dr. Jeereddy has multiple approaches to help you lower your blood pressure, including healthy lifestyle habits and medication.
Lifestyle adjustments
Dr. Jeereddy helps you implement an exercise program, lose excess weight, and follow a low-salt diet because of their considerable benefits. She also provides resources to help you quit smoking because smoking is a major risk factor for hypertension.
Medication
Lifestyle adjustments may be all you need to control your blood pressure. If that doesn’t work, Dr. Jeereddy can prescribe blood pressure medication.
The providers at Kenilworth Primary Care check your blood pressure at every visit, so call or click to schedule an appointment today.
