Have you been informed of high blood pressure, or are you experiencing persistent headaches, dizziness, or unusual fatigue? High blood pressure affects nearly one in four Canadians and often remains silent for years. At Virtuel MD, our CMQ member physicians assess your situation, adjust your treatment, and provide follow-up care online. All without travel or waiting at a clinic.
Consult a doctor today to manage your blood pressure and protect your cardiovascular health.
High blood pressure, commonly called hypertension, is a condition in which the pressure exerted by the blood on the walls of the arteries is persistently too high. Normal blood pressure is around 120/80 mmHg. High blood pressure is diagnosed when readings regularly exceed 130/80 mmHg.
High blood pressure is dangerous because it can damage your blood vessels and organs over time. This increases your risk of serious health problems, including: * **Heart disease:** High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, heart failure, and other cardiac issues. * **Stroke:** Damaged blood vessels in the brain can rupture or become blocked, causing a stroke. * **Kidney disease:** The kidneys can be damaged by high blood pressure, potentially leading to kidney failure. * **Vision loss:** High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, affecting your vision. * **Aneurysms:** It can weaken blood vessels, increasing the risk of an aneurysm, which is a bulge in a blood vessel that can rupture. * **Peripheral artery disease:** This condition affects the arteries in your legs and feet, reducing blood flow. * **Dementia:** High blood pressure is a risk factor for vascular dementia.
Hypertension is often called the silent killer—it generally doesn't cause obvious symptoms, but it progressively damages the arteries, heart, kidneys, and brain. Without treatment, it significantly increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and dementia.
The main causes :
Primary causes: natural aging, genetics, sedentary lifestyle, diet rich in salt, overweight, excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, and chronic stress.
Secondary causes: kidney disease, thyroid disorders, sleep apnea, certain medications such as hormonal contraceptives, anti-inflammatories, or decongestants.
Important to know:
Hypertension can occur at any age, in both men and women. In women, the risk increases significantly after menopause. In men, it is often associated with other cardiovascular risk factors such as type 2 diabetes or a rate of high cholesterol. Early intervention helps avoid serious complications and significantly improves quality of life.
Our Virtuel MD doctors can assess your blood pressure, adjust your treatment, and provide online follow-up.
Frequent headaches, particularly in the morning upon waking or in the back of the head, which can indicate poorly controlled blood pressure.
Sensation of dizziness, particularly when changing position, which may indicate significant fluctuations in blood pressure.
Persistent whistling or buzzing in the ears, sometimes associated with untreated hypertension.
Difficulty breathing during moderate exercise that previously did not cause shortness of breath, which may indicate an impact on the heart.
Episodes of blurred vision or bright spots can occur during hypertensive crises and require prompt medical attention.
- Very high blood pressure accompanied by chest pain - Sudden and unusual severe headache - Difficulty speaking, weakness on one side of the body, or sudden confusion - Sudden vision loss.
Find essential information about hypertension in our FAQ. For a personalized diagnosis and appropriate treatment, consult a doctor online today.
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80 mmHg. Prehypertension is between 120/80 and 129/80, and hypertension starts at 130/80 mmHg. These values can vary depending on age, sex, and measurement conditions. Our doctors interpret your readings within the context of your overall health profile.
In some cases, lifestyle changes are sufficient to control mild hypertension—reducing salt, regular physical activity, weight loss, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol. For moderate to severe hypertension, medication is usually necessary as a supplement. Our doctors will guide you to the approach best suited to your situation.
Yes, prescription renewals for existing antihypertensive treatments are one of the most frequent requests at Virtuel MD. Our doctors can renew your prescription and adjust the dosage if necessary during an online consultation.
Before age 65, hypertension is slightly more common in men. After menopause, the risk in women significantly increases and becomes comparable to that of men. Regular monitoring is important for both sexes.
Yes, regular home monitoring is highly recommended. It allows for more representative readings than in-clinic measurements, which are often skewed by stress. Our physicians can guide you on the correct measurement technique during your consultation.
An online medical consultation with Virtuel MD starts from $139 $. Our doctors assess your situation, adjust your treatment if necessary, and ensure your regular follow-up, all from the comfort of your home.
Absolutely. All your medical consultations and data are protected and stored in Canada, in compliance with Bill 25 and PIPEDA.
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