High Blood Pressure Treatment

What is high blood pressure?

As your blood flows through your blood vessels, it exerts a force against the inside walls of your veins. That force is your blood pressure. It’s measured in two numbers: your systolic pressure, which is when your heart beats, and diastolic pressure when your heart rests between beats. 

A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg or lower — anything higher is considered elevated, and after your blood pressure reaches 130/80 mmHg or higher, you have hypertension. 

High blood pressure doesn’t typically cause noticeable symptoms. As your condition progresses, you might notice headaches, dizziness, or erectile dysfunction. In many cases, the first time someone finds out they have high blood pressure is when they have a heart attack or stroke. The best way to monitor your blood pressure is to have annual exams that include blood pressure screenings. 

What causes hypertension?

Your genetics and family history influences your chances of developing high blood pressure. Your lifestyle also plays a significant role in your risk. Some of the common risk factors for high blood pressure include:

• Smoking
• Being overweight or obese
• Eating a diet high in salt, fat, and sugar
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Having high stress levels

Your risk of developing high blood pressure is also higher if you have certain health conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, or kidney disease. 

What’s included in high blood pressure treatment?

At Beachcare Urgent & Family Medical Center, the experienced medical providers work with you to develop customized high blood pressure treatment plans. The team takes a holistic approach to medicine, considering your lifestyle and overall health before recommending treatments. When it comes to managing hypertension, they help you make lifestyle adjustments to lower your blood pressure naturally before prescribing medicine. 

For example, Beachcare Urgent & Family Medical Center offers personalized weight loss programs. Maintaining a healthy weight and following a nutritious diet can have a dramatic impact on your blood pressure. The team can also help you quit using tobacco products and introduce regular physical activity into your routine. 

Your provider can prescribe medicine to lower your blood pressure if lifestyle modifications aren’t enough on their own. Depending on your specific condition, your provider might prescribe diuretics, ACE inhibitors, alpha-blockers, or vasodilators. 

Call Beachcare Urgent & Family Medical Center, make an appointment online, or walk-in today for expert blood pressure screening and management.