Franz H. Messerli, MD

Hypertension—commonly known as high blood pressure—is a serious and extremely common condition affecting one in four American adults. Recent data suggests that by age 50, the risk of developing hypertension over the next 25 years exceeds 90 percent. That means practically everybody, sooner or later, develops this condition.

With no symptoms or warning signs, hypertension is especially dangerous and can lead to several serious health problems, including atherosclerosis (a chronic inflammation and narrowing of artery walls); heart, kidney, and eye disease; and the most devastating consequence—stroke.

While normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg, hypertension occurs when blood pressure exceeds 140/90 mmHg.

What causes hypertension or high blood pressure is not always clear, but some risk factors include:

• Family history
• Diets high in fat and salt
• Obesity
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Certain medications, such as COX2 inhibitors
• Insulin resistance, typically found in diabetics
• Frequent stress and anxiety
• Oral contraceptives

The Hypertension Program at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals (SLR), led by nationally known hypertension expert and researcher Franz Messerli, MD, uses the latest medical advances to provide comprehensive care and treatment for hypertension / high blood pressure and its associated side effects.

A unique feature of our Hypertention Program is our 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring service. Patients are given a special device that electronically records blood pressure information 24/7. Our physicians use this information to determine how hypertensive a patient is and tailor antihypertension therapies on an individual basis.

With this service, our physicians can even detect “masked” hypertension—that is, patients who are fine during the day, but hypertensive at night.

Treatment for Hypertension / High Blood Pressure
If you are diagnosed with hypertension, it is important to get your blood pressure back to an acceptable range. Treating hypertension usually involves one or more lifestyle modifications, such as losing weight, stopping smoking, reducing stress, eating a healthier diet, limiting alcohol and exercising regularly.

Even with these modifications, however, drug therapy may be necessary. Current high blood pressure medications include angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, diuretics and beta blockers.

Every patient in the Hypertension Program receives regular evaluations to make sure these medications, taken alone or in combination, are working their best.

For a referral to an expert cardiologist at Roosevelt Hospital in New York City, call 877.996.9334.