High blood pressure, often known as hypertension, is a condition in which the blood’s long-term force against the artery walls becomes so high that it puts a person at risk for major health problems like heart disease. As a result, it’s crucial to control this disease and reduce the risk of developing more significant health problems. Continue reading to learn more about the causes and complications of this condition.

Causes of High Blood pressure

There are two types of high blood pressure, each with its own set of causes:

Primary hypertension

Generally, this blood pressure problem has no recognized etiology in most adults. Instead, it tends to develop gradually over the years. It is also known as primary (essential) hypertension.

Secondary hypertension

Some people develop high blood pressure problems due to other health conditions or medications. This is referred to as secondary hypertension. It tends to develop suddenly and leads to higher blood pressure. There are many health conditions and medicines that can lead to this type of high blood pressure. Some of them are listed below-

  • Kidney problem
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Adrenal gland tumors
  • Thyroid conditions
  • Certain medicines such as birth control pills or decongestants
  • Some over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs
  • Illegal drugs. For example- cocaine

Complications-

The excess pressure on the artery walls can damage your blood vessels and other body organs. If you are suffering from this condition and leave it unattended for a longer period, you are at the risk of more significant damage later; some of the complications are listed below:

Heart attack- The high pressure on artery walls caused by hypertension can cause the hardening and thickening of the arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. It may pose a person at the risk of a heart attack, stroke, or other heart complications.

Aneurysm- It’s a condition where the blood vessels become weak and bulge. When an aneurysm ruptures, it can be fatal.

Heart failure- The heart has to work harder to pump blood against the higher pressure in your blood vessels. It can result in the thickening of the heart chamber’s walls and may often lead to heart failure.

Abnormal functioning of kidneys- High blood pressure can lead to weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys that can affect their normal functions.

Vision loss- Hypertension may often lead to thickened, narrowed, or torn blood vessels in the eyes, resulting in vision loss.

Metabolic syndrome- It’s a group of disorders that includes increased waist size, high triglycerides level, reduced “good” cholesterol level, high insulin levels in the blood, etc. These health issues put a person at the risk of developing high blood sugar, heart disease, and stroke.

Difficulty reminding things and understanding- Uncontrolled high blood pressure may also cause memory loss. It can affect your ability to think and learn.

As hypertension is a risk factor for a variety of serious health problems, it’s always a great idea to talk to your doctor about how to control hypertension symptoms and stay healthy.

Cardiac diseases are the most common causes of death among men and women in the United States. As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it has been estimated that 1 in 4 Americans suffer from a cardiac problem, with coronary artery disease being at the top of the list. In fact, coronary artery disease is the leading cause of heart attack among Americans. Other common causes of heart diseases include:

  • Arrhythmia
  • Congenital heart defects
  • Blood vessel disease
  • Heart valve disease
  • Heart muscle disease
  • Heart infections

Many experts also indicate that there is a significant rise in heart-related problems in recovered COVID patients aged 30-50 years. In fact, acute cardiac issues were also observed in previously healthy individuals post COVID. After recovering from COVID, heart patients face problems due to an increase in blood clotting tendencies and inflammation. Post viral syndrome can range from minor palpitation, systemic hypertension, to life-threatening acute pulmonary embolism, heart attacks, arrhythmias, and other vascular problems. Neglect toward cardiac issues and irregular follow-up only worsen patients’ cardiac status. Therefore, doctors recommend regular cardiac screening for patients who have recovered from Covid-19 to identify any new onset abnormalities in the heart function.

The Primary Care physicians at MKR Medical PC are well-trained and experienced in identifying and treating any early signs of heart diseases. If the problem is caught early, there is a higher chance of preventing heart diseases. In fact, most heart diseases can be prevented by changing your lifestyle habits and making healthier life choices. Our facilities are well-equipped with the latest technology testing equipment to diagnose a wide range of health and cardiovascular diseases.

The following are the early signs of heart conditions that you should never ignore.

Chest pain, pressure, tightness, or discomfort

Chest pain, pressure, tightness in the chest, or chest discomfort are often caused by blocked arteries. These signs are usually associated with a heart attack, angina, stroke, or heart failure followed by other symptoms such as shortness of breath, shooting pains, dizziness, and more. If you experience more than one of these symptoms, it is best to consult with experienced cardiologists in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY.

Irregular heartbeat

Irregular heartbeat such as rapid heart beating, slow heartbeat, or fluttering in the chest can be a sign of arrhythmia. Arrhythmia is a chronic heart condition. It also causes shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or chest pains.

Shortness of breath

Shortness of breath without exercising or any other strenuous activity is usually an early symptom of heart problems. It may be a symptom of heart diseases such as heart attack, arrhythmia, disease of the heart muscles, heart infection, or other heart defects.

Feelings of nausea

Feelings of nausea, indigestion, heartburn, vomiting, or stomach pain are the common symptoms reported more in women with heart conditions than men. Although these symptoms may also be caused due to many other reasons, experiencing these symptoms puts you at a higher risk of heart diseases. Thus, it is highly recommended to consult with experienced cardiologists in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting

Although dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting can be a symptom of many different health diseases, if these symptoms are followed by shortness of breath or chest discomfort, these are most likely a sign of heart diseases. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Fatigue or weakness or shooting pain anywhere in the body

As per research, women are most likely to experience fatigue or weakness followed by shortness of breath. On the other hand, men are most likely to experience chest pain and pain that travels to one or both arms during heart conditions such as heart attack. Some people may also experience shooting pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper abdomen, or back.

So, if you notice one or more symptoms that are consistent with your health conditions or you are over the age of 55, consult with our healthcare experts in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY at the MKR Medical PC. We are among the top practices to provide a full spectrum of Primary care and cardiology services across New York. Our team includes some of the best Primary Care Physicians and Cardiologists with highly specialized skills and extensive experience in diagnosing and treating patients with varied health problems.

Consult with our cardiology and primary care experts for cardiovascular and health analysis and treatment solutions.

To people living in Long Island NY, Rybstein Medical is more than just the top Primary Care Doctor in all of West Babylon, Long Island. Whether you’re in need of Cardiac Testing in Long Island NY, a new Internal Medicine Specialist in Long Island NY, Vascular Disease Testing in Long Island NY, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Long Island NY, Rybstein Medical is the absolute best throughout all of West Babylon, Long Island, New York. Our patients receive the care modern medicine has to offer. Though, what if you’re not close enough to us to choose Rybstein Medical? Thankfully, we have some healthy advice that may help you out!

Did You Know?

From Healthline, ‘It’s possible to have a broken heart. It’s called broken heart syndrome and can have similar symptoms as a heart attack. The difference is that a heart attack is from heart disease and broken heart syndrome is caused by a rush of stress hormones from an emotional or physical stress event.”

Facts like that are why keeping your mind and body healthy is so important. The average heart is the size of a fist in an adult and beats about 115,000 times each day. That’s a lot of work that goes into keeping your heart healthy, and we have some heart-healthy tips to help keep you moving:

  • Laughing is good for your heart and reduces stress. But it also gives a boost to your immune system as well!
  • Exercising isn’t just for weight loss. In fact, exercising forces your heart to work a bit harder during your workout, which in turn increases muscle mass and improves your cardio. A healthier body allows your heart to function better during times of stress.
  • Eating right for YOU is just as important as eating HEALTHY (sometimes). If you don’t like kale, don’t eat kale. You can find healthier versions or alternatives to the foods you love (don’t potato chips, but try veggie straws/chips instead). Moderation is also a key to staying healthier. Don’t eat pizza or burgers five times a week, try enjoying them once a week instead. The smallest changes can sometimes make the biggest difference.
  • Drinking red wine before bed is good for your heart. Yes, you read that right! Drinking a glass of red wine before bed can be good for your heart. According to studies and information gathered from CW-Spirits, “red wine helps lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. This is due to the tannins in red wine that gives it that red color. Red wine also contains procyanidins, which is known for protecting against heart disease.”
  • Going for long walks, hiking, biking, or camping is great for you beyond just staying active. Think about it, “when you’re moving, your body is working,” right? So, it goes without saying, that going for a long walk every now and then, hiking, biking or camping can be extremely beneficial to your heart as well. Whether it’s fresh air, a healthier body, or even the change of scenery that may help relieve some stress. Going outside can often-times be the most beneficial thing a person can do for their health.

Looking For A Quality Primary Care Doctor In West Babylon, Long Island?

Rybstein Medical offers the best Primary Care Physicians West Babylon, and all of Long Island has to offer! Whether you’re in need of Cardiac Testing in Long Island NY, a new Internal Medicine Specialist in Long Island NY, Vascular Disease Testing in Long Island NY, or Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Long Island NY, Rybstein Medical is the absolute best around. Our Primary Care Physicians are specially trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide variety of illnesses or diseases affecting adults. If you are in need of a Primary Care Doctor in West Babylon, Long Island NY? Call us today at (631) 991-8787

Choosing a cardiologist can be difficult. There are a couple things that one should look for when trying to decide what cardiologist to visit. Cardiology is a complex and ever-changing field. Becoming a cardiologist is not easy to do, and takes many years of residency, medical school, and fellowships. All cardiologists go through these steps, so most of them are fairly competent, but there are a few factors that separate a good cardiologist from a great cardiologist.

Below are a couple of things to keep in mind when meeting with a Cardiologist for the first time:

  • Your cardiologist should be both friendly and knowledgeable: Knowledge is of course a necessity, but your cardiologist should have a good beside manner, and be able to establish a strong doctor-patient relationship with you. When you meet with your cardiologist, make sure that they do their best to establish rapport with you. A cardiologist who goes the extra mile to make you feel comfortable is always a good thing.
  • Your cardiologist should genuinely care about their patients: Genuinely caring about the well-being of a patient is crucial to providing them with the best care possible. Make sure that your cardiologist seems like they entered the medical field for the right reasons, rather than to just have a stable job with good income. A compassionate cardiologist is a much better cardiologist than one who doesn’t care about their patients.
  • Your cardiologist should be patient when explaining things to you: Your cardiologist should take the time to educate you about your condition, and answer any questions that you might have about your health. It is incredibly helpful to have a clinician that can explain things at a level that patients can understand. Many doctors still just tell their patients what they need to do without explaining why.

When you meet with a cardiologist for the first time, make sure that they make you feel comfortable. Feel free to ask them any questions about their expertise or qualifications, and listen to their answers carefully.

If you are in need of a cardiologist, or cardiac testing on Long Island, come to Rybstein Medical.

At Rybstein Medical, we are known for having the best, most experienced cardiologists on Long Island. We have a cutting edge facility, full of top of the line testing equipment for all major cardiology tests. To speak with one of our expert cardiologists, call us today.

Physicians who specialize in internal medicine are often called Internists. These physicians apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to their diagnosis and treatment of adults for a wide variety of health issues, including minor and complex illnesses.

Internal medicine is a discipline that is mainly focused on the care of adults. The internal medicine discipline focuses on the use of the most up to date medical science and techniques available for patient care. Internists specialize in creating a caring doctor-patient relationship with their patients.

Doctors who specialize in internal medicine spend several in medical school learning how to prevent, diagnose, and treat all different types of diseases that adults can contract. This training makes the doctors qualified to practice internal medicine. Both terms “Internist” and “Doctor of Internal Medicine” are used to describe these types of primary care physicians.

Internists help patients with conditions such as:

  • Hypertension
  • Heart Disease
  • Obesity
  • Diabetes
  • Lung Diseases

Internists also sometimes consult with doctors in other fields of medicine, and can sometimes be called on to consult on a patient by some other type of specialist.

If you are an adult, it is advisable to have an internal medicine expert as a primary care physician. Choosing an internist as your primary care physician is a good idea because of their training and varied experience with different medical conditions. If you do not have a current primary care physician, our offices have internists that can be your doctor.

Make an appointment with the best Primary Care Physicians on Long Island at Rybstein Medical

Our Internists can provide:

  • Physical and wellness exams
  • Healthy lifestyle management
  • Management of a wide range of complex, acute and chronic medical conditions
  • Women’s health and wellness services
  • Preventive screenings
  • Cancer prevention and screening
  • Referrals to specialists for further diagnosis and/or treatment
  • Comprehensive travel-related services including physicals and vaccinations

If you have large, visible varicose veins on your legs, the very question in the title of this article may seem nonsensical. You might be tempted to respond, “It’s easy: all I have to do to know I have varicose veins is look in the mirror.”

Unfortunately, this answer is overly simplistic, because not all varicose veins are close enough to the surface of your skin to become visible to the naked eye. To detect them, you need the help of a Long Island vein clinic and an experienced Long Island vascular doctor such as Dr. Marc Rybstein.

What kinds of tests does a vein doctor perform to detect varicose veins?

The best way to know for sure if you have varicose veins (or any other form of vein disease) is to have a venous health screening. These checkups are fast (usually less than an hour), painless, and non-invasive, but they allow Dr. Rybstein to determine the exact state of your vein health very accurately.

The examination may start with a standard physical examination, and then the doctor will ask a number of questions to determine your risk for vein disease. This may include questions about not only your health but that of your family, because varicose veins are hereditary. If your mother or father had them, that increases your risk. The doctor will also ask questions about your lifestyle (whether you smoke, how much exercise you get per week, etc.) and if you are female, whether or not you have been pregnant or are taking birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy.

The physical tests the doctor performs may include taking your blood pressure in two locations to determine your ankle-brachial index, a measurement of how well your blood is circulating. If your overall risk of vein disease is high, the doctor may then look beneath the surface of the skin using Doppler ultrasound to locate venous valves that have become damaged or possible blood clots.

What happens after the screening?

After all the tests have been completed, the doctor will discuss his findings with you. If he has found no evidence of varicose veins or other forms of vein disease but your risk for them was high, he will give you advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle choices that can help you remain disease-free. If he finds evidence of varicose veins, he will explain all of the treatment options, both conservative and those involving actual vein removal in Long Island.

Modern varicose vein treatment in Long Island, if it is needed, is almost as fast, easy, and painless as the screening itself. Because Dr. Rybstein uses only state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive treatment procedures, if you choose to have your varicose veins removed, you can do so in the comfort of our offices, with no need to ever go to a hospital. The procedures are so painless that they often don’t require any anesthesia at all, so some patients have literally had their varicose veins removed on their lunch hour and then returned to work that same day.

So if you’re tired of not knowing or being unsure whether you have varicose veins or some other form of vein disease, stop worrying and do something about it. Pick up a telephone, call Dr. Rybstein at 516-806-5055, and schedule a screening today. You’ll feel better knowing for sure and knowing that even if you do have varicose veins, they can be treated quickly, easily, and painlessly.

It’s important to start any discussion of “home treatment for varicose veins” with an important caveat – none of the tips presented in this article will cure or eliminate your varicose veins. The disease that causes them (chronic venous insufficiency, or CVI) permanently damages the tiny, one-way valves in your veins that control proper blood flow, and once that damage has occurred, it cannot be “fixed.” Permanent varicose vein treatment in Long Island can only be achieved by closing the diseased veins using procedures such as sclerotherapy or endovenous laser therapy (EVLT).

However, if your Long Island vascular doctor has determined that your varicose veins are not causing more serious problems, and you are in no rush to have them removed permanently, there are things you can do at home that can make living with varicose veins more tolerable, if not actually enjoyable.

Things you can do at home to treat symptoms caused by varicose veinsvein center in Long Island

Get more exercise. Yeah, we know this sounds unintuitive, but it’s important. The varicose veins make your legs swollen and painful, but if you submit to that and become a couch potato, those symptoms just get worse. So try to walk (or perform other aerobic exercise) at least half an hour a day.

Watch your diet, and if necessary lose weight. Every extra pound increases the pressure on your veins, and thus the discomfort you associate with your varicose veins. Ask your doctor to help you with recipes and diet plans that can help you to keep your weight under control.
Wear compression stockings. These stockings can make a tremendous difference by improving circulation in your legs. Work with your doctor to find the proper size and compression to match your condition.

Wear loose clothing. Avoid “Spanx” and any kind of tight clothing that is going to reduce your circulation. This includes pants that are tight at the waist.
Elevate your feet and legs often. Taking a “put your feet up” break several times a day (or actually sleeping with your legs elevated) can greatly reduce symptoms of pain and swelling from varicose veins.

Try not to sit for long periods of time. Even if your job requires you to sit, try to get up and walk around for a few minutes once every hour or so. This will help to restore circulation to your legs. When you are sitting, try not to cross your legs, as this increases pressure on your veins.

Wear sensible shoes. Avoid high heels and other shoes that put your body at an odd angle while walking, thus increasing pressure on your veins.

If you get a scratch or cut on your legs, take care of it. The vein disease that reduces your circulation enough to cause varicose veins also keeps injuries to the skin that covers them from healing properly. Treat cuts with antiseptics and if the cuts don’t heal, see your doctor before infection sets in.

These tips may help, but remember to see your vein doctor regularly

As noted above, these conservative, at-home treatments can help to make living with your varicose veins more comfortable, but they are not going to get rid of them. So it’s important to stay in touch with your vein center in Long Island to make sure they aren’t getting worse. Remember that Dr. Marc Rybstein and his associates at Long Island Heart and Vein Experts are there to help you, and to explain vein removal in Long Island when you are ready to consider more permanent options. Give us a call any time at 516-806-5055 – we’re here for you.