Hypertension Specialist
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Valley Medical Center
Adejoke Aina-Babalola, MD
Internal Medicine located in Brentwood, TN
Too often, people don’t know that they have high blood pressure, or hypertension, until something’s gone wrong. Don’t let a stroke or heart attack be your first symptom. Dr. Adejoke Babalola at the Valley Medical Center has a track record of helping patients in Brentwood, Tennessee lower their blood pressure and decrease their risk for heart disease.
Hypertension Q & A
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is the medical name for high blood pressure, which occurs when your blood pressure reaches 140/90 or higher. When your blood pressure is this high, blood moves through your arteries with more force than normal. After a while, high blood pressure can cause damage to your arteries and blood vessels, increasing your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Often called the silent killer, there are few symptoms of high blood pressure. Sometimes vision issues or headaches may occur, but if you’re experiencing those, chances are your blood pressure has been high for a long while.
What happens if hypertension is left untreated?
If hypertension is left untreated for too long, it can have significant impacts on your body. Not only does it make the heart work harder and damage your arteries, it’s also a leading cause of:
- Heart attacks
- Strokes
- Vision loss
- Kidney disease
- Sexual dysfunction
How does the Valley Medical Center treat hypertension?
At the Valley Medical Center, Dr. Babalola determines your hypertension treatment based on a variety of things, including how high your blood pressure is, your health, and your family history.
If you’re prehypertensive or are just starting to show signs of high blood pressure, she may recommend lifestyle changes. By eating a heart-healthy, low sodium diet and exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, you can lower your blood pressure without the need for medication.
Dr. Babalola may also recommend maintaining a healthy weight and learning stress reduction techniques, such as deep breathing or meditation. If you smoke cigarettes or drink alcohol, she may also discuss quitting, as both of these are known to increase blood pressure.
If you’re already hypertensive, Dr. Babalola may prescribe you medication to help lower your blood pressure. There are a variety of options available, including:
- Diuretics
- ACE inhibitors
- Beta blockers
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
Each of these medications lower your blood pressure differently and Dr. Babalola makes her recommendation based on your specific case. If you have a family history of high blood pressure, don’t wait until something happens. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Babalola today.
