High Blood Pressure Specialist

Keven Tagdiri, M.D.

Internists located in Encinitas, CA

Having high blood pressure isn’t anything to be taken lightly. Internal medicine physician Keven Tagdiri, MD, can get you the right diagnosis — and treatment — for high blood pressure. His practice in Encinitas, California, has everything you need to get your high blood pressure under control. If you know you have high blood pressure, or if you have a family history of high blood pressure, protect your heart and make an appointment today. Call the office or book an appointment online.

High Blood Pressure Q&A

What is considered high blood pressure (hypertension)?

A normal blood pressure reading is below 120/80 mmHg. If Dr. Tagdiri checks your blood pressure and it’s higher than that, it might be a concern.

Prehypertension starts when you have blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 mmHg. Once your blood pressure reads above 140/90 mmHg, you’ll likely be diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Severely high blood pressure — which can be incredibly dangerous — happens when it peaks above 160/100 mmHg.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous?

Your blood pressure is the amount of force that occurs when blood pushes against arterial walls. Each time your heart pumps, it exerts this force. While some pressure is necessary to keep blood flowing, too much is dangerous.

When your blood pressure is high, blood can damage and break down the walls of veins and arteries. It can increase your risk of stroke, clogged arteries, and heart disease. High blood pressure often doesn’t have any symptoms, so unless you check it regularly, you might be completely unaware that your blood pressure is high. It’s important to schedule a visit with Dr. Tagdiri if you have any concerns about your blood pressure.

How is high blood pressure treated?

It depends on the severity of your high blood pressure. If you’re at early prehypertension stages, Dr. Tagdiri might get you started on lifestyle changes. This can include increasing your fiber intake, decreasing your sodium intake, exercising more, minimizing alcohol consumption, and losing weight if needed. By making some changes, you might be able to stabilize your blood pressure on your own.

If you need medication, Dr. Tagdiri finds the one that works best for your needs — they all work differently. Diuretics, for instance, flush out excess sodium, ultimately reducing your fluid levels and bringing your blood pressure down. Beta blockers make your heart beat with less force, minimizing wear-and-tear on your arteries. Angiotensin medications work to open up your blood vessels and veins, so blood can flow through with less force.

If you’re worried about high blood pressure and would like to learn more about treatment, call Keven Tagdiri, MD, in Encinitas, California, or book an appointment online.