High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms — which is exactly why routine screening matters so much.
Hypertension is often called the silent killer because it quietly damages blood vessels, the heart, and the kidneys long before any symptom appears. Roughly one in three adults in Charlotte County has elevated blood pressure, and many don't know it.
A normal reading is below 120/80. Anything consistently above 130/80 is considered hypertension and warrants a conversation with your provider. The good news is that blood pressure is one of the most modifiable risk factors in all of medicine.
Lifestyle changes — reducing sodium, increasing potassium-rich foods, regular movement, limiting alcohol, and managing stress — can lower readings significantly. When lifestyle isn't enough, safe, well-tolerated medications are highly effective.
If you haven't had your blood pressure checked in the last year, walk into any of our community health fairs or schedule an annual physical. Knowing your numbers is the first and most important step.
