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High Blood Pressure services offered in Winchester, TN
With no warning signs or symptoms, the first indication that you have high blood pressure could be a serious health crisis like a stroke or heart attack. The good news is that measuring your blood pressure is simple and only takes moments. At Restoration Primary Care PLLC, Shannon Foster, MD, Sean Foster, PA, and the team offer blood pressure checks in an easy way to safeguard against serious illness. To book your blood pressure screening, call Restoration Primary Care PLLC today or schedule an appointment online.
What is high blood pressure?
If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), it means your blood is pumping through your arteries with such force, that it’s going to cause damage that could lead to serious conditions like:
- Stroke
- Aneurysm
- Kidney failure
- Heart attack
- Sight loss
- Dementia
The danger with high blood pressure is that until the damage is done, you’re unlikely to experience any symptoms. For this reason, undergoing regular blood pressure checks at Restoration Primary Care PLLC is essential.
What causes high blood pressure?
In some cases, high blood pressure is due to an underlying health problem, such as thyroid dysfunction or sleep apnea. This is called secondary hypertension, and it can also develop as a result of taking certain prescription medications or illegal drug use.
More common is primary hypertension, which in most cases has preventable causes, such as:
- High-fat diet
- High cholesterol
- Excess salt
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Stress
- Smoking
- Heavy drinking
Primary hypertension tends to come on more slowly as you get older.
How is blood pressure measured?
Measuring your blood pressure is one of the most straightforward procedures in medicine, and you get instant results. Your specialist wraps a blood pressure cuff around your arm and pumps it full of air to increase the pressure.
They then take two measurements: a systolic reading when your heart is beating, and a diastolic reading in between heartbeats. The two readings make up your blood pressure measurement.
A measurement below 120 systolic and 80 diastolic is normal while 121 to 129 systolic and below 80 diastolic indicates elevated blood pressure. If you have elevated blood pressure, it’s likely to get worse if left untreated.
A high blood pressure measurement is between 130 and 139 systolic and between 80 and 89 diastolic (Stage 1 hypertension), or over 140 systolic and above 90 diastolic (Stage 2 hypertension). If your blood pressure reaches 160 or above systolic and 100 or above diastolic, it’s dangerously high.
How is high blood pressure treated?
The most effective way of dealing with high blood pressure is to make lifestyle changes. Your provider can help you with nutritional information advice and support with weight loss and exercise. They can also help you reduce your alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
Some patients might need to take medication to help reduce their blood pressure. If you have to take medication, you might only need to take it short term if you also follow your specialists advice and make changes to your lifestyle.
Book your blood pressure exam today by calling Restoration Primary Care PLLC or use the online form to schedule an appointment.