Hypertension

Hypertension (blood pressure) is a silent threat to your heart and overall health. At Parkview Cardiology PLLC in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, Kedar Sankholkar, MD, MS, FACC, provides expert diagnosis, lifestyle counseling, and medication management to keep blood pressure under control. Book your appointment at Parkview Cardiology PLLC today by phone or via the online booking form.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension (commonly called high blood pressure) happens when the force of blood against your artery walls stays too high for too long.

Over time, this extra pressure can damage your arteries and increase the risk of serious cardiovascular diseases.

What problems does hypertension cause?

Without treatment, hypertension can lead to:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Heart failure
• Kidney damage
• Vision problems

High blood pressure often has no symptoms, which is why it’s called a silent killer. Regular checkups are the best way to catch hypertension early, before the damage becomes irreversible.

What causes hypertension?

There are two main types of hypertension:

Primary hypertension

Primary or essential hypertension develops gradually over many years without a clear cause.

Secondary hypertension

Secondary hypertension develops because of other conditions, such as kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and sleep apnea. Certain medications can also cause it.

Does lifestyle raise blood pressure?

Lifestyle factors are often the primary trigger for high blood pressure. Ones that increase your risk of hypertension include:

• An excess of salt and processed foods
• Lack of exercise
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Chronic stress

Family history and aging also play a role.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Diagnosing hypertension is straightforward. Dr. Sankholkar simply measures your blood pressure using a cuff around your arm that inflates to restrict blood flow.

He records two numbers, including systolic pressure when your heart beats and diastolic pressure when it rests.

A healthy reading is around 120 systolic and 80 diastolic. Readings between 120 and 129 systolic with 80 diastolic indicates raised blood pressure, while consistent readings of 130/80 or higher usually indicate hypertension.

Sometimes, Dr. Sankholkar orders additional tests like blood work, urinalysis, or heart imaging to check for underlying causes or complications. Using advanced diagnostics ensures the best possible outcomes.

What treatments are available for hypertension?

Treatment depends on the severity and cause of your hypertension. Options include:

Lifestyle changes

Changing your eating habits is vital to lowering blood pressure. For example, adopting the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Other critical factors include reducing your salt intake, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, and quitting smoking.

Medications

If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, Dr. Sankholkar may prescribe blood pressure medications. These include diuretics (water tablets), angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, and calcium channel blockers.

The staff who provide care at Parkview Cardiology PLLC practice at the highest level and prioritize patients, genuinely listening to their concerns, and delivering advanced therapeutic strategies.

To arrange your blood pressure measurement, call Parkview Cardiology PLLC  today or book an appointment online.