Hypertension Specialist
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Comprehensive Family Medical Practice
Jia Park, M.D.
Family Medicine Practice located in Bayside, NY
Hypertension in New York City is on the rise, affecting one out of every four adults. If left uncontrolled, hypertension can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Jia Park, MD, is a family medicine physician who provides medical care for hypertension at her practice, Comprehensive Family Medical Practice in the Bayside neighborhood of Queens, New York. If you have concerns about hypertension, call the office to schedule an appointment.
Hypertension Q & A
What is hypertension?
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is when the force of the blood against your artery walls is too high. This increases your risk of other health issues, such as heart disease.
Dr. Park uses two numbers to assess your blood pressure:
- Systolic pressure: the top number that measures pressure during the heartbeat
- Diastolic pressure: the bottom number that measures pressure in between beats
Blood pressure measurements are categorized as:
- Normal blood pressure: less than 120 mm Hg/80 mm Hg
- Elevated blood pressure: 120 to 129 mm Hg/80 mm Hg
- Stage 1 hypertension: 130 to 139 mm Hg/80 to 89 mm Hg
- Stage 2 hypertension: greater than 140 mm Hg/90 mm Hg
One elevated blood pressure reading doesn’t mean you have hypertension. If your blood pressure is high during a routine visit with Dr. Park, she may recommend you monitor your pressure at home with a home monitoring system.
What causes hypertension?
Most people have primary hypertension, which has no specific identifiable cause and tends to develop as you get older. Certain risk factors may increase your chances of getting primary hypertension, including:
- Carrying excess weight
- Smoking cigarettes
- Having a family history of hypertension
- Stress
However, some people develop hypertension from an underlying medical condition, which is referred to as secondary hypertension. Health conditions that may cause you to develop high blood pressure include thyroid disease, sleep apnea, or a congenital blood vessel defect.
How can I improve my blood pressure numbers?
Improving your blood pressure can reduce your risk of developing hypertension-related complications, such as heart or kidney disease. Dr. Park works one-on-one with you to develop a strategy that has the most benefits for you.
If you’re carrying excess body weight, losing weight may be all you need to bring your blood pressure back into the normal range. Limiting salt intake, getting regular exercise, and finding ways to better manage stress may also make a big difference.
If lifestyle changes fail to improve your hypertension, Dr. Park will prescribe medication that helps keep your blood pressure in a normal range.
For medical management of your hypertension, call Comprehensive Family Medical Practice to schedule an appointment with Dr. Park. The office has plenty of parking for your convenience.
