Pink Prescriptions - May 2025

May 2025 Issue — Pink Prescriptions

The Silent Killer
Understanding High Blood Pressure

Many days it seems as if we are all living under pressure and undue stress, which can take a toll on our bodies. High blood pressure can be one result of life in the fast lane, whether it be working in a high stress job, being in a bad relationship, or consuming an unhealthy amount of alcohol (not to mention drug intake). However, high blood pressure can also be one of those genetic perils, making it a condition you have to deal with regardless of your lifestyle.

Either way, high blood pressure is easy to diagnose and straightforward to manage. It is a condition that can cause great danger—even death—if ignored, but easy-to-live-with under the care of your physician. Plus, there are natural ways to help your body lower and regulate blood pressure. If you are worried about your blood pressure, just stop in at your local pharmacy and have it taken. If it’s high, go see your doctor as soon as possible; this is non-negotiable. Now relax (seriously, relax and take some deep breaths). Soon you will be on your way to lowering your BP and living a much healthier life.

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by Dr. Francis O’Neill | Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists

What causes high blood pressure?
How do I know if I have hypertension?
High blood pressure (also called hypertension) is extremely common, affecting nearly half of adults in the U.S. The only true way to know if you have hypertension is to have your blood pressure checked, and the condition diagnosed by a healthcare professional.

Clues that you have hypertension:
• Headaches
• Flushing of the skin
• Palpitations
• Neck pressure or pain
• Blurred vision
• “Feeling” your heartbeat in your chest neck or head
• Increased frequency of urination with discoloration

Identified early enough, hypertension can be controlled. If it isn’t managed, over time it can cause significant stress on other organs and lead to heart failure, kidney failure cerebrovascular issues, and even blindness.

It’s important to establish a relationship with a primary care provider for annual wellness visits to monitor your blood pressure. That provider is your first line of defense for managing this condition apart from being aware of the signs and symptoms.

What lifestyle changes may help to lower blood pressure?
Choose healthy foods: Eat foods that are lower in sodium and saturated fat, as well as rich in protein and fiber. Consuming a balanced diet is important.

Maintain a healthy weight: Losing weight can be the single item that will reduce your blood pressure on its own.

Exercise: Put in at least 150 minutes of exercise per week. That’s 30 minutes of physical activity five days a week.

Quit smoking: Smoking increases your risk of high blood pressure through a constellation of negative side effects, most notably arterial hardening, as well as raising your risk of heart attack, stroke, and arrhythmia.

Get good-quality sleep: Lack of sleep on a regular basis is linked with a higher risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Limit alcohol consumption: The way your body processes alcohol is by storing significant amounts of converted carbohydrates in a form that causes increased fat infiltration and eventual liver disease.

Francis O’Neill, M.D., is an interventional cardiologist with Beaufort Memorial Heart Specialists in Beaufort and Okatie and is board-certified in internal medicine and fellowship-trained in cardiovascular medicine and interventional cardiology. Call 843-770-4550 for an appointment.

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By David Vormohr, MD | Hilton Head Primary Care, Novant Health

Hypertension runs in my family.
What should I be on the lookout for and
what are the perils of high blood pressure?

Many times, hypertension can be silent, as there are not really consistent markers that signify the problem. Occasionally, some people may experience a headache induced by high blood pressure, but this is a very inconsistent symptom which can be caused by any number of things.

For those with a family history of hypertension, it is important to periodically check your blood pressure. Blood pressure monitoring is now readily available, whether utilizing an automated machine you can find at a pharmacy or purchasing a blood pressure device to use at home. This is the most important thing you can do to make sure your blood pressure stays in check. A normal blood pressure reading is actually less than 120/80 mm Hg. An elevated blood pressure falls in the range of 120/80 mm Hg—140/90 mm Hg. A diagnosis of hypertension occurs with consistent blood pressure readings greater than 135/85 mm Hg, and at this point, treatment should be considered.

When monitoring your blood pressure at home, it’s important to remember that the size of the cuff that is used matters, making sure the cuff fits your arm appropriately. A cuff size that is too small for your arm can give a falsely elevated blood pressure reading. Conversely, a cuff size that is too large for your arm can give a blood pressure reading that is lower than the actual level. It is also important to check your blood pressure in a relaxed state in order to get a true baseline reading.

If untreated, hypertension can lead to conditions such as Left Ventricular Hypertrophy, Heart Failure, Ischemic Stroke, Intracerebral Hemorrhage, Ischemic Heart Disease, Heart Attack, and Chronic Kidney Disease.

Some ways you can decrease your blood pressure include losing weight, increasing exercise, decreasing sodium intake, and increasing potassium intake. Make sure to consult your doctor with any concerns regarding your blood pressure.

Can taking birth control affect my blood pressure?
The short answer is yes; certain forms of birth control can affect your blood pressure. Combined estrogen-progestin contraception may cause a mild elevation in blood pressure, however, blood pressure does typically stay within the normal range. It is important to have your blood pressure checked before starting this type of contraception and to monitor it periodically while taking the oral contraceptive. Other forms of birth control such as progestin-only oral contraceptives, as well as birth control with delivery systems that are not oral, have not been shown to affect blood pressure. It is important to talk with your doctor about choosing the right form of contraception for you.

Dr. David Vormohr is a board-certified primary care physician with a fellowship in sports medicine practicing at Hilton Head Primary Care. Dr. Vormohr has been treating patients in the Lowcountry for almost 30 years. Call (843) 682-2004 to schedule an appointment.