High Blood Pressure

High Blood Pressure services offered in Ocala, FL

You won’t know you have high blood pressure because it rarely causes symptoms, but it could result in a life-threatening heart attack or stroke. At MPA Direct Primary Care’s offices in Ocala, Florida, you can benefit from regular blood pressure readings to catch the condition early. Call the nearest MPA Direct Primary Care office to schedule a blood pressure screening, or request one using the online booking feature today.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure (hypertension) is a common circulatory disorder. It develops when the force of blood pumping through your arteries rises too high, damaging your blood vessels and, eventually, your organs. The following serious conditions can all develop because of high blood pressure:

Kidney disease
Heart disease
Heart attacks
Strokes
Aneurysms (bulging, blood-filled arterial pockets)

Despite being such a harmful condition, high blood pressure rarely causes symptoms. It’s vital to visit MPA Direct Primary Care for a routine blood pressure check even if you have no signs of ill health.

Why would I have high blood pressure?

Underlying medical conditions like obstructive sleep apnea and thyroid disorders cause secondary hypertension. However, most people have primary hypertension, where the cause is unclear. Risk factors for primary hypertension are chiefly lifestyle-related and include:

Excess body weight
Lack of exercise
High-fat diet
Eating too much salt
High cholesterol
Smoking
Chronic stress
Alcohol overconsumption
Insufficient or poor-quality sleep

You’re also more likely to develop high blood pressure as you age and if the condition affects close family members.

How is my blood pressure measured?

Measuring blood pressure is a simple procedure. Your provider wraps a cuff around your upper arm that inflates to squeeze the arteries. The machine records two measurements — one when your heart beats and pumps blood (systolic), the other between beats (diastolic).

Ideally, your blood pressure should be no more than 120 systolic and 80 diastolic. If it measures 120-129 systolic and below 80 diastolic, your blood pressure is raised but easily treatable. At 130-139 systolic or 80-89 diastolic, you have stage one hypertension. 140 or higher systolic or over 90 diastolic is stage two hypertension.

What action can I take to reduce my blood pressure?

The MPA Direct Primary Care team offers advice and support to help you lose weight. Other changes you might need to make include:

Increasing your activity levels
Quitting smoking
Reducing alcohol intake
Tackling chronic stress
Cutting down on salt
Improving sleep quality

These are vital actions that help lower your blood pressure to healthy levels.

You might need medication if your blood pressure is very high or doesn’t respond to lifestyle changes. Drugs like angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and calcium channel blockers relax your arteries. Diuretics (water pills) help by flushing excess water and sodium from your system.

Call MPA Direct Primary Care or request an in-person or telehealth appointment online today.

High Blood Pressure