What You Need to Know About Hypertension as You Age
Dr. Chimezie C. Amanambu, M.D • December 21, 2022
An extremely important health concern is hypertension or high blood pressure. This condition is not seen or heard, yet 78 million Americans have it. With hypertension being such a prevalent condition in our society, let’s expand on its causes and what concerns you need to know.
DEFINITION
The force of blood flow against the internal walls of your arteries is your blood pressure. There are two separate numbers provided when getting a blood pressure reading. The top number, or systolic reading, indicates the force of blood flow through the arteries during a heartbeat. A healthy systolic reading should be below 120. The second, or bottom number, in a blood pressure reading is known as diastolic. This number measures the force of blood flow in the arteries during the resting period between heartbeats. A reading below 80 shows healthy blood pressure. If either of these numbers rise above the healthy limits, you may have high blood pressure or be at risk for high blood pressure.
RISK FACTORS
The risk factors that increase your blood pressure include smoking, being overweight, not getting enough exercise, having a diet low in fiber, having a diet high in fat and sodium, drinking alcohol, experiencing long term stress and genetics. It is important to consult with your physician if you have any of these risk factors.
PREVENTION
Having any of the above risk factors or multiple risk factors can lead to hypertension and become extremely critical as you age. Losing weight, limiting, or eliminating alcohol consumption, getting regular exercise, reducing the stress in your life, maintaining healthy eating habits that are high in fiber and low in salts and saturated fats, and quitting smoking can all help to lower your blood pressure.
Dr. Amanambu and the staff at Pax Internal Medicine provide expert care in the treatment of hypertension. Dr. Amanambu can recommend lifestyle changes, treatment, and possible medication that is right for your specific medical need. Contact them today to make an appointment and begin your journey to well-being.
For businesses and job seekers alike in the Akron, Ohio area, ensuring a healthy and safe workforce begins with robust employee health screenings. Pre-employment medical evaluations play a crucial role in this process, providing vital insights into a candidate's fitness for duty. Dr. Chimezie Amanambu and his dedicated team at Pax Internal Medicine Associates offer thorough and reliable comprehensive medical evaluations for employment, serving as your trusted local partner. The Value of Pre-Employment Medical Evaluations Before an individual steps into a new role, a comprehensive medical evaluation helps establish a baseline of their health and determines their ability to perform job-specific tasks safely. These pre-employment medical evaluations are not just a formality; they safeguard both the employer and the prospective employee. For employers, they ensure compliance with safety regulations and reduce potential workplace risks. For employees, they confirm physical suitability for demanding roles and can uncover underlying health issues that might require attention. Comprehensive Medical Evaluations for Employment in Akron, Ohio Dr. Amanambu is not just an internal medicine physician; he is also certified by the American Board of Independent Medical Examiners (ABIME) and possesses years of experience conducting various forms of objective medical evaluations. This expertise extends directly to pre-employment and ongoing employee health screenings. During these evaluations, Dr. Amanambu conducts detailed assessments that go beyond a simple checklist. His services include: Fitness for Duty Evaluations: Determining an individual's physical and mental capacity to perform job tasks safely and effectively. Review of Medical History: A thorough examination of past and current health conditions relevant to employment. Physical Examinations: A comprehensive assessment of various bodily systems. Drug and Alcohol Screening: Ensuring a drug-free workplace. Disability Evaluations and Impairment Rating: Providing objective assessments using established guidelines like the AMA Guide 5th Edition. Dr. Amanambu's reports are renowned for being timely, objective, and meticulously detailed, based on convincing medical evidence. This thorough approach ensures that all parties receive a clear and accurate picture of an individual's health status in relation to their employment. Dr. Amanambu's Commitment to Care At Pax Internal Medicine Associates, the care extends beyond the examination itself. Dr. Amanambu and his team understand the importance of these evaluations for both employers and individuals. They provide a professional and compassionate environment, ensuring a smooth process for all involved in securing comprehensive medical evaluations for employment. This commitment to genuine care and thoroughness sets them apart as a premier choice in the Akron area. For businesses requiring precise employee health screenings or individuals needing pre-employment medical evaluations, trust Dr. Amanambu's expertise. Contact Pax Internal Medicine Associates today to schedule your comprehensive medical evaluations for employment.
Hypertension, or high blood pressure, often lurks silently, posing a significant threat to your health. At Pax Internal Medicine Associates in Akron, Ohio, Dr. Chimezie Amanambu and his team provide expert care to help you manage this critical condition. Beyond mere treatment, Dr. Amanambu emphasizes a holistic approach, including a tailored hypertension diet and comprehensive dietary recommendations for managing hypertension, ensuring you reduce your blood pressure to healthy levels and safeguard your well-being. Understanding the Impact of Hypertension Your blood circulating through your body exerts pressure on your blood vessels. When this pressure remains consistently high, it stresses your arteries, veins, and vessels throughout your entire body. A healthy blood pressure reading sits below 120/80 mmHg. When your numbers consistently rise above this, you have hypertension. Often called the "silent killer," hypertension frequently presents no symptoms until a severe health crisis, such as a heart attack or stroke, occurs. This is why regular blood pressure monitoring by medical experts like Dr. Amanambu is absolutely essential. Why a Hypertension Diet is Crucial for Management While genetic predisposition can play a role, hypertension typically stems from unhealthy behaviors. Factors such as smoking, a high-fat diet, obesity, excessive salt intake, lack of exercise, alcohol abuse, chronic stress, and aging all contribute. Certain medical conditions, including diabetes, kidney disease, and heart disease, can also lead to elevated blood pressure. This is where a targeted hypertension diet becomes an indispensable tool for hypertension management. Dr. Amanambu works closely with patients to implement dietary changes that directly affect blood pressure. Dietary Recommendations for Managing Hypertension Dr. Amanambu guides his patients through practical and effective dietary adjustments: Reduce Sodium Intake: Excess salt is a major contributor to high blood pressure. Dr. Amanambu will help you identify hidden sodium in processed foods and guide you toward fresh, whole alternatives. Embrace Potassium-Rich Foods: Potassium helps balance sodium levels in the body. Incorporate foods like bananas, potatoes, spinach, and avocados into your daily meals. Focus on Fruits, Vegetables, and Whole Grains: These are packed with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support cardiovascular health. They are foundational elements of an effective hypertension reducing diet. Choose Lean Proteins: Opt for lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, and lentils to maintain muscle mass without adding unhealthy fats. Limit Saturated and Trans Fats: These fats can raise cholesterol levels, further impacting heart health. Moderate Alcohol Consumption: Excessive alcohol can raise blood pressure. Dr. Amanambu provides clear guidelines on safe limits. Comprehensive Hypertension Management and Care When you visit Pax Internal Medicine Associates, Dr. Amanambu performs routine blood pressure screenings. If a high reading is detected, he schedules a series of tests to confirm consistency. Beyond diagnosis, he engages in detailed conversations about your lifestyle habits, enabling him to provide tailored guidance and a robust hypertension management plan. His professional care extends beyond medication; he prioritizes empowering you with the knowledge and tools to reduce your blood pressure through dietary changes and other lifestyle guidelines. Don't wait for a crisis. Take proactive steps towards managing your hypertension. Call Pax Internal Medicine Associates or book an appointment online today to experience Dr. Amanambu's comprehensive and integrity-driven care for your hypertension diet and overall health.