Strong Heart and Vascular Center
Division of Vascular Surgery
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Contact Us
New & Existing
Patients
If you'd like
to schedule an appointment, call us at 585-341-7030.
Referring Physicians
To refer a patient
for a consultation, call us at 585-341-7030.
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Hypertension
What is Hypertension?
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, is elevated
blood pressure that is consistently above normal ranges. It is
a major factor in causing atherosclerosis throughout the body
and also increases the risk for heart disease, stroke, aortic
aneurysm rupture,
kidney failure, and blindness. Hypertension is sometimes called “the
silent killer” because there are rarely any
symptoms. Nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults has high blood pressure, and the condition
occurs more often in African Americans than other races.
Learn more about hypertension
There are no symptoms of hypertension. Symptoms only occur after
complications from the high blood pressure develop. These symptoms
of the complications may include:
Diagnosing Hypertension
Hypertension is diagnosed by measuring blood pressure with a
sphygmomanometer—an inflatable arm cuff attached to a pressure
gauge—and a stethoscope.
If hypertension is detected, other tests may be requested to
check for if organ damage, including:
Hypertension can be treated through lifelong lifestyle modifications
and, when necessary, medication. For mild hypertension, lifestyle
changes are usually enough to reduce blood pressure.
Some types of medications that may be prescribed if necessary,
such as:
