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| Dr. Venkat Battula |
When driving around a blind corner, there’s always a touch of apprehensiveness about not knowing what may be waiting for you – another car, perhaps a pedestrian or bicyclist. Unfortunately, the same concern doesn’t always exist for those at risk for high blood pressure. It’s estimated that one-third of all people who have high blood pressure are walking through life unaware of the danger they can’t see or feel.
According to Venkat Battula, M.D, a cardiologist with the Heart Institute of Northwest Ohio, people of all ages can develop high blood pressure and even have it for years without knowing it.
“High blood pressure has often been called the ‘silent killer’ because it directly elevates the risk of coronary heart disease, but it does so without showing any outward signs,” Dr. Battula said. “The only way to know for sure is to get tested.”
Any reading between the ranges of 120-139/80-90 is accepted to be pre-hypertension, and levels above those numbers is considered high blood pressure or hypertension, usually requiring medication and other lifestyle changes to lower, such as quitting smoking.
Ebere M. Ugwanyi, M.D., a cardiologist with the Heart Institute of Northwest Ohio, points out that your family
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| Dr. Ebere M. Ugwanyi |
history and stress are two other leading risk factors for high blood pressure, citing that, “If your parents or other blood relatives live with high blood pressure, you’re more likely to experience the same condition. It’s also worth noting that during these stressful times for our personal and professional lives, high blood pressure is becoming a far more common reality for more people. If left unchecked, there is increased risk of stroke, congestive heart failure, kidney problems and heart attack.”
The important thing is that high blood pressure can be controlled and that the medical professionals at The Heart & Vascular Institute at Lima Memorial are here to help. Contact us today for details.
