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Hypertension Specialist

DRS Medical Associates

Primary Care Physicians located in Jersey City, NJ

The Centers for Disease Control reports that 75 million Americans have high blood pressure (hypertension), and only 54% of these people have the condition under control. Because hypertension often has no outward symptoms, many people don’t even know their blood pressure is high. If you live in or around Jersey City, New Jersey, come to DRS Medical Associates to get your blood pressure checked and under control. Dr. Ray Santos and Dr. Ritu Sharma can help you manage high blood pressure with lifestyle habits and medications when necessary.

Hypertension Q & A

What does my blood pressure reading mean?

Blood pressure readings are like a fraction with a top number, the systolic, over a bottom number, the diastolic. Systolic blood pressure represents the force of the blood in your arteries when your heart muscle contracts and diastolic blood pressure is your blood pressure between these contractions. Blood pressure readings are ranked as such:

  • 120/80 or below: Normal
  • 120-139/80-89: Prehypertensive
  • 140-159/90-99: Stage 1 hypertension
  • 160/100 and above: Stage 2 hypertension

Why is it important to keep blood pressure in control?

High blood pressure doesn’t necessarily cause symptoms, even though it’s damaging blood vessels and your heart. This silent, internal damage raises your risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, vision loss, metabolic syndrome, and trouble with mental acuity.

Does one high blood pressure reading mean I have hypertension?

If your blood pressure is abnormally high, you’ll be monitored at several consecutive appointments before the doctors diagnose you with hypertension. It’s normal for your blood pressure to vary throughout the day, especially when you’re under stress, such as when you’re at the doctor’s office.

Who is at risk of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure has a strong genetic component. Your blood pressure also naturally rises as you age. Other risk factors include:

  • Overweight
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • A diet high in salt
  • A diet low in potassium or vitamin D
  • Alcohol abuse

How can I get my blood pressure under control?

Dr. Santos and Dr. Sharma will recommend you stop using all tobacco products and cut back on alcohol. Reduce your sodium intake and up your consumption of fresh vegetables and fruits. Increase your physical activity. Weight loss, if you’re overweight, is another important step.

Lifestyle modifications aren’t always successful in treating hypertension, however. If this is the case, the doctor may prescribe medications to keep your blood pressure under control. Medication doesn’t replace your need to adopt healthy habits. Controlling your blood pressure is important, but eliminating it and medications through lifestyle changes, if possible, is much better.

What is prehypertension?

View prehypertension as a warning sign. You’re at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure, and all its complications, in the future. If your blood pressure is in the range of 120-139/80-89, make extra efforts to change your lifestyle habits to include a healthy, lower sodium diet and more physical activity.

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

At DRS Medical Associates, we accept most major insurance plans. Here is a short-list of just some of the most popular plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed.

Aetna
AmeriHealth
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
EmblemHealth
Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
First Health
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
Humana
MagnaCare
Medicare
Multiplan
Oxford
QualCare
United Healthcare