How your doctors in St. Thomas and St. Croix can help your high blood pressure
Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is caused when the blood flowing through your arteries is slowed down or 
blocked by resistance from narrowed artery walls. Caused by fatty plaque deposits due to high cholesterol and other related factors, hypertension is a silent killer because it can go undetected for years without causing any signs or symptoms. Fortunately, the doctors here at Virgin Islands Orthopaedics and Medical Specialists offer a wide range of medical services, including the discovery, management, and treatment of hypertension. With convenient office locations in both St. Thomas and St. Croix, read on to learn if you could benefit from our hypertension treatment.
Do you have hypertension?
One of the most important signs of hypertension is a high blood pressure reading. A normal reading for a healthy adult is around 120/80, and a reading that exceeds these numbers may indicate hypertension. However, it’s important not to solely rely on a single blood pressure reading, because this number can be affected by stress, activity, and other factors.
In addition to blood pressure measurement, you may also experience these signs and symptoms:
- Dizziness
- Facial flushing
- Blood spots in your eyes
Many people who have hypertension also complain of headaches or nosebleeds, however, these symptoms may also be caused by conditions other than hypertension.
How we can help
If you have been experiencing the above symptoms, make sure to schedule an appointment at one of our offices. After all, uncontrolled hypertension can shorten your life!
During a consultation, your doctor can definitively determine whether or not you have hypertension, and if the results are positive, the condition can be treated with medications, including:
- Diuretics, to help you eliminate excess water in your tissues
- Beta-blockers, to open blood vessels and reduce how hard your heart has to work
- ACE inhibitors, to relax blood vessels
- Calcium channel blockers, to relax blood vessels and decrease your heart rate
Concerned? Contact us
To find out more about hypertension causes, signs, and treatment, call the doctors here at Virgin Islands Orthopaedics and Medical Specialists, with offices in St. Thomas and St. Croix. Dial (340) 714-2845 for the St. Thomas office, or (340) 692-5000 for the St. Croix office.