If you’re planning to make just one major change to improve your health this year, let it be gaining control over your blood pressure. High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is a silent yet dangerous condition that has sharply increased over the last decade. Nearly half of all adults—around 116 million people—in the United States are believed to have hypertension. If your diet includes a lot of processed foods, you’re overweight or obese, experience chronic stress, or have a family history of high blood pressure, you fall into the at-risk category.
The positive news is that most of these risk factors can be managed. While you can’t alter your family history, you can seek help with improving your diet, shedding excess weight, and managing stress levels. Moreover, there are effective medications available to treat high blood pressure.
While you can’t alter your family history, you can improve your diet, manage your weight, and reduce stress levels. Plus, hypertension treatment in Dubai includes several effective medical options to help manage the condition safely.
Dr. Barbara Karin Vela provides expert answers about the latest research and approaches to controlling blood pressure.
1. What is hypertension?
Your heart pumps roughly five to seven liters of blood every minute. In a healthy body, this blood circulates easily through the veins and arteries, reaching all parts of the body. Blood pressure measures the force—or pressure—of blood pushing against the arterial walls as it flows from the heart. This pressure fluctuates during the day depending on activity levels. However, if your blood pressure remains consistently high, it’s known as hypertension and requires proper hypertension treatment in Dubai to prevent complications.
2. What do my blood pressure numbers mean?
Blood pressure readings consist of two numbers:
- Systolic pressure: the pressure in your arteries when your heart beats (the highest value).
- Diastolic pressure: the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats (the lowest value).
A healthy reading is 120 systolic over 80 diastolic, written as 120/80 mmHg. If your readings are consistently higher than this, it may indicate hypertension, and you should schedule an appointment with your primary care physician.
3. How do I know if I have high blood pressure?
Because hypertension involves sustained high readings over time, one or two isolated measurements may not provide enough information. The best way to confirm it is through regular monitoring, either during your annual checkups or at home using a reliable blood pressure cuff.
It’s essential to remember that you may have hypertension even if you feel perfectly fine, as it usually causes no obvious symptoms. High blood pressure develops gradually over the years, and its silent nature often misleads people into thinking they’re healthy. You might feel well for a long time without realizing that your body is being harmed by elevated blood pressure levels. Over time, high blood pressure and your health become closely linked, as unchecked hypertension can affect your heart, kidneys, and brain.
4. Why is hypertension dangerous?
High blood pressure forces the heart to work much harder than normal, which can eventually lead to severe health issues such as chest pain, heart attack, stroke, peripheral artery disease, and heart failure. Additionally, hypertension has been linked to a form of dementia called vascular dementia, which is more common among those with high blood pressure. Experts believe that elevated blood pressure causes blockages in small blood vessels in the brain, damaging them over time and potentially leading to cognitive decline. Getting early hypertension treatment in Dubai can help prevent these complications and support long-term cardiovascular health.
5. Why is high blood pressure becoming more common?
One of the main reasons is the high-salt diet prevalent in modern lifestyles. Many people consume excessive sodium—not just from table salt but from processed foods. This excess sodium leads to fluid retention in the blood vessels, raising blood pressure. Combined with sedentary habits, it also contributes to obesity, which further elevates blood pressure levels. Many patients who visit hypertension clinics in Dubai are advised to reduce salt intake and adopt a balanced diet as part of their overall treatment plan.
6. Should I limit my salt intake?
Yes. The American Heart Association advises limiting sodium intake to 2,300 milligrams (mg) per day, while the ideal goal for most adults should be 1,500 mg daily. To put it in perspective, a single cup of canned soup can contain 800 mg or more of sodium, which quickly adds up throughout the day. Managing sodium intake is one of the most effective ways to support your high blood pressure treatment in Dubai.
7. Can stress cause high blood pressure?
The exact connection between stress and hypertension is complex. However, research suggests that chronic stress contributes to cardiovascular problems overall. Stressors such as financial struggles or living in marginalized communities are linked to worsening heart health. Dr. Barbara Karin Vela also points out that loneliness can play a role, as it may cause people to neglect their treatment or skip follow-up care, both of which can exacerbate hypertension.
8. How do I know if I am at risk for hypertension?
While anyone can develop high blood pressure, certain groups face a higher risk. Those with a family history of hypertension or a genetic predisposition are especially vulnerable. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that Black Americans tend to develop high blood pressure earlier and more frequently than other ethnic groups, including whites and Hispanics. Additionally, the likelihood of hypertension increases with age—approximately three out of four Americans aged 75 and older are affected. Consulting the best doctors for high blood pressure in Dubai ensures early detection and personalized treatment options.
9. Can I have high blood pressure if I’m young?
Yes, absolutely. There has been a noticeable increase in hypertension among younger populations, including children and teenagers. This rise is largely associated with growing rates of obesity, overweight, and type 2 diabetes. Many young individuals carry these health issues into adulthood.
The main challenge among those aged 20 to 35 is that they rarely seek medical attention because they feel healthy. Yet, early intervention—like adopting healthier eating habits and active lifestyles—can significantly delay or even prevent the onset of hypertension later in life. Dr. Barbara Karin Vela notes that young people rarely visit doctors because they feel healthy, but preventive hypertension treatment in Dubai—such as early screening and lifestyle counseling—can delay or prevent the condition from worsening.
10. Why is my blood pressure always higher in the doctor’s office? Should I check my blood pressure at home?
In recent years, home blood pressure monitoring has become one of the most effective and widely used strategies for managing hypertension. It is especially beneficial for those who experience what’s known as “white coat hypertension”—a temporary spike in blood pressure caused by anxiety during medical visits, even when their readings are normal at home.
Dr. Barbara Karin Vela explains that two other groups are equally important. One consists of patients whose readings are high both at home and slightly higher in clinics, often due to stress. The other group, however, has normal readings at the doctor’s office but elevated ones at home—this is called “masked hypertension.” Regular home monitoring helps clarify these differences and ensures accurate diagnosis and treatment. Home monitoring provides a clearer, more accurate picture and is often recommended by specialists offering hypertension treatment in Dubai.
11. What lifestyle changes can prevent or lower high blood pressure?
Simple lifestyle modifications can go a long way in preventing or reducing high blood pressure. These include losing excess weight, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol consumption, and maintaining a consistent sleep schedule. Studies have shown that the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is particularly effective. It emphasizes foods rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium while limiting sodium, saturated fats, and sugars.
These lifestyle changes enhance the effectiveness of medication as well. “Patients who take medicine but fail to make lifestyle adjustments often find their medication less effective,” Dr. Barbara Karin Vela notes. These lifestyle changes enhance the effects of medication and are commonly advised at any hypertension clinic in Dubai.
12. Can exercise help control blood pressure?
Yes. Regular cardiovascular exercise—the kind that increases your heart rate and makes you sweat—is one of the best ways to keep blood pressure in check. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should engage in at least 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, while children should get at least one hour daily.
“For many, especially older adults, even a simple walk is a great starting point,” says Dr. Barbara Karin Vela. “Over time, they can increase their pace or add gentle inclines, depending on their physical ability.” Even a daily walk can make a significant difference when combined with professional hypertension treatment in Dubai.
13. What if I do everything right and still have high blood pressure? Are there effective medications?
Researchers have spent decades developing effective antihypertensive medications, and today there are many proven options that help lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.
The three main types of blood pressure medications include:
- Diuretics: The most commonly prescribed, which lower blood pressure by helping the body remove excess salt and water.
- Calcium channel blockers: These relax and widen blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily.
- ACE inhibitors and ARBs: These block a specific hormonal pathway in the body that can cause blood pressure to rise, thus keeping it under control.
Choosing the right medication often depends on a person’s overall health. For example, patients with kidney disease may benefit from drugs that manage both blood pressure and kidney function simultaneously. You can always book hypertension consultation in Dubai for a personalized plan.
14. What are the side effects of blood pressure medications?
Most people tolerate blood pressure medications quite well, though mild side effects such as dizziness, headache, stomach discomfort, or swelling in the legs or feet can occur.
Interestingly, studies have shown that combining several medications at lower doses is often more effective and causes fewer side effects than taking a single drug at a high dose. “There are dozens of options in each drug category, and our goal is to find the right combination for each patient,” says Dr. Barbara Karin Vela. Today, there are nearly 20 combination pills available for hypertension treatment.
15. What if I need blood pressure medication but dislike taking pills?
If you have trouble taking pills, you’re not alone. Dr. Barbara Karin Vela assures patients that most medications can be adjusted or substituted to fit their preferences and comfort. Some people prefer once-daily pills instead of multiple doses throughout the day, which simplifies their routine.
For those who struggle with oral medications altogether, a transdermal patch is a convenient alternative. This patch releases medication through the skin, helping to lower the heart rate and relax blood vessels—and it only needs to be changed once a week. This flexibility ensures better compliance with your ongoing hypertension treatment in Dubai.
16. Should I see a cardiologist for my high blood pressure?
Not always. In most cases, primary care physicians can effectively manage hypertension. However, some patients may require a cardiologist or nephrologist if their blood pressure remains uncontrolled or if they develop additional complications such as heart or kidney disease.
Dr. Barbara Karin Vela explains that specialists in hypertension can offer advanced care for those who, despite making lifestyle changes and taking multiple medications, still struggle to control their blood pressure. These experts provide tailored strategies and in-depth evaluations to help bring hypertension under control.
17. What if I’m struggling to stay motivated to manage my blood pressure?
Ultimately, managing blood pressure depends on personal commitment and honesty about your lifestyle habits. Dr. Barbara Karin Vela encourages patients to openly discuss their challenges and limitations, as it helps design a realistic plan for long-term success.
“It’s important to understand that hypertension management isn’t a short-term fixit’s a lifelong journey,” she explains. “Giving your full attention to your blood pressure for only a few months isn’t enough. This is a marathon, not a sprint. Whether through medication, diet, or lifestyle changes, consistency is key. Staying dedicated today will help ensure a healthier, stronger future.”