I have talked before about the importance of knowing your family medical history. The other day I was at a doctor’s appointment and my doctor actually asked me questions about my mother, father, and sister. He even drew a little family tree right there in my medical chart.
The reason for his inquiry into my family’s medical history is that I developed high blood pressure during both of my pregnancies. My son was born almost four weeks ago, and my blood pressure is still high enough that I must take medication for it. These current pieces of information regarding my health, when taken together with the fact that my dad has chronic hypertension, indicate that I must work with my doctor to monitor my blood pressure to see whether it will return to normal. It is entirely possible that it will, yet it is also quite possible that I have chronic hypertension.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of those medical conditions that clearly runs in families. Individuals with a family history of hypertension are twice as likely to develop hypertension than those who do not have a family history of it. Unfortunately, some people who have a family history of hypertension may not know it. High blood pressure often goes undiagnosed because it does not cause any noticeable symptoms until there are complications.
Fortunately, even if high blood pressure is a part of your family health history, your lifestyle can make a difference. Things like eating a diet rich in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, exercising regularly, monitoring your blood pressure regularly, limiting alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight can help you to manage hypertension. I am not a medical professional, but from experience I know that a healthy lifestyle on its own may not be enough to manage hypertension. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your blood pressure and family history of hypertension because even with healthy lifestyle changes, medication may be necessary to effectively manage your hypertension.
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