Hypertension

Hypertension, or high blood pressure, increases your risk of more serious health problems, like a heart attack or stroke. At Elora Health and Wellness in the Rockville Centre neighborhood of Long Island, New York, experienced primary care provider Dr. Shakiraye Rookwood, DNP, FNP-BC, offers hypertension screening and treatment for patients 14 and older. Call the office today to request an appointment, or book online.

What is hypertension?

Hypertension –– high blood pressure –– occurs when the force of the blood flowing through your arteries remains higher than normal, so your heart has to work harder to pump blood. 

At Elora Health and Wellness, Dr. Rookwood recommends that all adults get checked for hypertension every year. High blood pressure rarely causes symptoms, so you might have it and not know it. 

What are the types of hypertension?

At Elora Health and Wellness, Dr. Rookwood treats both types of hypertension:

Primary hypertension

This type of high blood pressure develops slowly with age. Over time, plaque builds up in the arteries causing your heart to pump harder.

Secondary hypertension

This type of high blood pressure develops because of an underlying health problem. It usually occurs suddenly and is often more severe than primary high blood pressure. Causes of secondary hypertension include sleep apnea, thyroid problems, and adrenal gland tumors.

Who is at risk of hypertension?

Hypertension affects people from all backgrounds, but several factors can increase your risk, including:

• Stress
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Tobacco use or vaping
• Lack of exercise
• Family history
• Excess weight
• Being middle-aged or older

Certain medical conditions increase the risk of high blood pressure, including kidney disease and diabetes.

How is hypertension diagnosed?

Dr. Rookwood reviews your medical records and asks about your lifestyle, including how often you exercise, if you smoke or drink, and whether you take any medications or supplements. 

Next, she listens to your heart with a stethoscope and takes your blood pressure. To do that, Dr. Rookwood wraps an inflatable cuff around your upper arm. The cuff connects to a digital device that analyzes your blood pressure in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg).

Blood pressure readings have two numbers:

Top number

The top number refers to the pressure of blood in your arteries when your heart beats.

Bottom number

The bottom number refers to the pressure of blood in your arteries in between beats. 

Dr. Rookwood diagnoses hypertension if you have a blood pressure reading of 130/80 mm/Hg or higher on two separate tests. 

How is hypertension treated?

At Elora Health and Wellness, Dr. Rookwood treats hypertension with a holistic approach, including:

• Regular exercise
• Weight loss
• Improved nutrition
• Routine screenings
• Quitting smoking

Often, these changes are enough to make a big difference. But if necessary, Dr. Rookwwod can prescribe medication.

Call Elora Health and Wellness today for hypertension treatment, or book online.