High Blood Pressure, also known as hypertension, is a serious condition that can result in health complications from extended periods of elevated blood pressure, causing strain on artery walls. Hypertension is a common condition in the United States, with nearly 1 in every three adults having the condition, with 1 in 5 of those being undiagnosed. High Blood Pressure has a variety of causes, many of which are easily manageable with diet, exercise, and medication. As a condition that tends to develop over an extended timeline, understanding its causes and what eases it is essential to a healthy life.
How Do I Know If I Have Hypertension?
One of the most threatening aspects of hypertension is its ability to be present with no symptoms. While no immediate symptoms are evident, damage to your blood vessels and heart can be happening without anyone knowing. Unmanaged hypertension can result in life-threatening conditions, including stroke and heart attack.
Thankfully this condition is easy to identify with the help of a doctor and is very manageable with proper care. When symptoms are present, they most often appear as nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and headaches. Unfortunately, if these symptoms are present, your condition has already become serious, and an appointment with one of our practitioners should be scheduled immediately.
What Are The Causes of Hypertension?
Essential, or primary, hypertension is the name for high blood pressure that develops over a period of years. This kind of hypertension doesn’t have an immediately identifiable cause but is still treatable with the assistance of your physician.
Secondary hypertension is that which is caused by an underlying condition, making high blood pressure a side-effect or symptom of the same. Sleep apnea, thyroid problems, adrenal gland tumors, and kidney problems commonly have high blood pressure as a result or symptom. Birth control pills, decongestants, some over-the-counter pain medication, cold remedies, and even prescription drugs can all have hypertension as a side-effect.
What Puts Me At Risk Of Hypertension?
There are numerous risk elements that have been discovered to be associated with high blood pressure. These factors include:
- Race – Those who are of African American descent tend to develop high blood pressure at a higher rate than caucasian patients. They also show a higher rate of kidney failure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Family History – If your ancestors battled high blood pressure, you are more likely to struggle with it as well.
- Obesity – As one of the leading serious problems in the United States, obesity shares ground with High Blood Pressure and has been shown to be a cause of the same.
- Tobacco Use – Use of any form of tobacco product has been tied to temporary rises in high blood pressure, and lasting damage to artery linings. Over time it can increase your risk of heart disease and cause a narrowing of the arteries.
- High Sodium levels – With the high levels of salt in the American diet, this is a particularly pressing problem for those with sodium-sensitive hypertension.
What to expect:
At your initial 55 minute nutrition counseling session visit your licensed dietitian nutritionist will evaluate your condition(s), develop an appropriate treatment plan and may recommend 25 – 55 minute follow – up nutrition counseling sessions. Your licensed dietitian nutritionist may also recommend nutrition testing or refer to other medical professionals for further evaluation. If you are interested in metabolism testing please let the receptionist know when you schedule your nutrition session, and your licensed dietitian nutritionist know at the start of your visit and your metabolism can be measured at your appointment. If weight loss is a goal your licensed dietitian nutritionist will also recommend the right amount of calories, carbohydrates, proteins, fat and other nutrients necessary for you to achieve your weight and health goals, show you how to use our preferred food tracking software, and may recommend one of our weight loss programs and/or weight loss coaching.
Insurance coverage and rates
Contact us and our receptionist will schedule you with one of our licensed dietitian nutritionists for an initial 50 minute appointment at one of our office locations or virtually through our HIPPA compliant telehealth system or over the telephone.
All of our licensed dietitian nutritionists are in-network with United, BCBS, and Aetna. Most insurance companies now offer nutrition benefits. If you have insurance benefits for nutrition and you have met your deductible you only need to pay your co-pay at the time of session if you have one. For more information about your insurance benefits please visit our insurance and billing page.
Self-Pay Rates for Nutrition Counseling
55 minute initial nutrition counseling session …………………………………………………………………… $200
25 minute follow-up nutrition counseling session ……………………………………………………………… $100
How do I get started?
Contact us and our receptionist will ask you to fill out our insurance verification form and schedule you with one of our licensed dietitian nutritionists for an initial 55-minute session at one of our office locations or virtually through our HIPPA compliant telehealth system or over the telephone.