A Cardiologist's Guide to Hypertension

Your heart works hard for you, beating more than 100,000 times a day to keep blood flowing throughout your body. Like any finely tuned machine, it performs best with proper care. One of the most crucial ways to protect it? Managing your blood pressure.

What Is Blood Pressure?
 

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against your artery walls as your heart pumps, ensuring oxygen and nutrients reach your organs and tissues. It’s a key indicator of heart health.

Your blood pressure reading consists of two numbers:

• Systolic pressure (first number): The force when your heart contracts.
• Diastolic pressure (second number): The force when your heart relaxes between beats.

A healthy reading is typically below 120/80 mmHg and above 100/60 mmHg, allowing your heart and blood vessels to work efficiently. But when blood pressure remains high over time, it puts extra strain on the heart—forcing it to work harder than it should.

To better understand the risks of high blood pressure and how to manage it, we spoke with Dr. Badr Harfouch, a board-certified general and interventional cardiologist at LifeBridge Health.

 
What Is Hypertension?

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, occurs when blood pressure remains elevated for an extended period, increasing stress on the cardiovascular system. It’s a widespread condition, affecting nearly half of U.S. adults, and is diagnosed when blood pressure consistently measures above 130/80 mmHg.

But what causes hypertension, and how can you lower your risk?

Risk Factors: What Could Be Raising Your Blood Pressure?

Some risk factors for high blood pressure are beyond your control—like genetics, age and underlying medical conditions. Others, however, are tied to daily habits and lifestyle choices.

Dr. Harfouch highlights common risk factors, including:

• Obesity: Excess weight increases strain on the heart.
• Physical inactivity: A sedentary lifestyle weakens cardiovascular function.
• High sodium intake: Too much salt causes fluid retention, raising blood pressure.
• Excess alcohol consumption: Drinking heavily can elevate blood pressure and contribute to weight gain.
• Chronic stress: Stress triggers hormones that may spike blood pressure.
• Poor sleep habits: Conditions like sleep apnea and irregular sleep patterns can contribute to hypertension.

Environmental and socioeconomic factors also play a role. For example, men and Black adults are at higher risk of developing severe hypertension. 

Symptoms: Why High Blood Pressure Is Hard to Detect

Hypertension is often called a “silent” condition because it typically has no symptoms—even as damage progresses. In severe cases, however, high blood pressure may cause:

• Chest pain
• Stroke-like symptoms
• Lightheadedness
• Vision changes
• Headaches

Because warning signs are rare, regular monitoring is essential.

Why Does High Blood Pressure Matter If It Has No Symptoms?

Dr. Harfouch compares the impact of high blood pressure to weightlifting. 

“Imagine the heart as a muscle,” he says. “When you lift heavier weights at the gym, your muscles grow. In the same way, when your blood pressure is high, your heart has to work harder and thickens in response.”

But unlike muscle growth from exercise, a thickened heart is not a sign of strength—it’s a sign of strain. Over time, hypertension can lead to:

• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
• Coronary artery disease, increasing heart attack risk
• Stroke and kidney disease due to damaged blood vessels
• Heart failure, as the heart weakens from working too hard

The longer high blood pressure goes unchecked, the greater the risk of complications. Fortunately, early detection and proactive choices can help safeguard your heart. 

How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure

Checking your blood pressure regularly is the first step to staying on top of your heart health. Dr. Harfouch strongly recommend annual screenings with a primary care provider (PCP) and self-monitoring with a home blood pressure cuff.

For the most accurate at-home readings:

• Measure in the morning before eating, drinking coffee or smoking.
• Sit in a quiet place with your feet flat on the ground.
• Rest for a few minutes before taking a measurement.
• Place the cuff correctly on your upper arm.
• Take multiple readings and average the results.
   

How to Manage High Blood Pressure 

Hypertension can be controlled—and even prevented—with healthy lifestyle changes. If you’re consistently seeing elevated readings, here’s where to start:

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet
The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) emphasizes:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Lean proteins (fish, poultry, beans, nuts)
• Low-fat dairy
• Limited sodium, added sugars and red meat
   

Get Regular Exercise
Movement strengthens your heart and helps lower blood pressure. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise (like walking, swimming or cycling) on most days.

Prioritize Quality Sleep
Poor sleep is linked to higher blood pressure. Try to get 7-9 hours of restful sleep each night and address any sleep disorders, such as snoring or sleep apnea, with your healthcare provider.

Manage Stress
Chronic stress can cause spikes in blood pressure. Techniques like deep breathing, meditation, physical activity and designated relaxation time can help regulate stress levels.
 

Take Medication If Needed
In some cases, medications like diuretics, beta-blockers or ACE inhibitors can help lower blood pressure. However, these should complement—not replace—a heart-healthy lifestyle.
 

When to See a Specialist

For some people, standard treatments aren’t enough to lower blood pressure to a healthy range. If lifestyle changes and medications haven’t worked, a specialist can help!

Dr. Harfouch and the team at LifeBridge Health offer specialized care for patients with resistant hypertension. In certain cases, advanced treatments like renal artery denervation—a procedure that improves blood pressure control in patients with resistant hypertension—may be an option.

Take Charge of Your Heart Health

Hypertension is common, but it doesn’t have to define your health. By monitoring your blood pressure, making lifestyle adjustments and working with your doctor, you can protect your heart and reduce your risk of complications.

Take the first step today:

• Check your blood pressure regularly
• Adopt heart-healthy habits
• Manage stress and prioritize sleep
• Follow up with your doctor
   

Small, steady changes can add up over time. If you need support managing your blood pressure, LifeBridge Health’s specialists are here to help.