WHAT IS HYPERTENSION?

Hypertension, more commonly known as high blood pressure, is a condition that impacts many individuals. High blood pressure can become a very serious issue if left untreated. If left untreated, hypertension could cause heart attack, stroke, kidney failure, and more. It’s typically seen in individuals who are older, smoke, are obese, have a family history of hypertension, and more. This chronic heart condition can cause a number of symptoms, including:

  • Dizziness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Bloody nose
  • Fatigue
  • Chest pain
  • Headache
  • Stroke

At MedNorth Urgent Care Clinic, we urge all individuals to seek out medical help if they experience any of these symptoms. At our high-end clinic, our team of doctors and nurse practitioners is equipped with the knowledge and technology to treat hypertension. For more information, or if you think you may have high blood pressure, feel free to visit us in Kalispell, MT.

HOW IS HYPERTENSION TREATED?

When you visit our Kalispell, MT clinic, we will first review your symptoms to decipher if your condition is life-threatening; if so, we’ll have you escorted to the nearest emergency room. In the case that your condition is not life-threatening, we will happily treat you at our office. Typically, we’ll perform a chest x-ray, blood work, and more. Utilizing our on-site laboratory, we can quickly get these results back so we can diagnose and treat you as soon as possible. Depending on the diagnosis, we will typically treat for primary high blood pressure (no known cause) or secondary high blood pressure (the cause is known).

If you have primary high blood pressure, we may take a look at making adjustments to:

  • Diet and exercise
  • Alcohol consumption
  • Coping methods for stress
  • Medications

If you have secondary high blood pressure, we will typically review your underlying conditions, prescription medications, and may change your dose of blood pressure medication.

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE FAQ

What causes high blood pressure?

A single causative factor for hypertension, or high blood pressure, is still not known. However, studies and research have linked poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, aging, and genetics to high blood pressure.

What is systolic and diastolic blood pressure?

When you’re given your blood pressure reading, there are two numbers, for example 120/80. The first number is your systolic pressure which measures the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your heart. The second number is the diastolic pressure which measures the blood pressure between heartbeats.

What should healthy blood pressure be?

In the majority of healthy patients, a healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 or less. High blood pressure begins at 130-139/80-89. Stage 2 hypertension is in the 140/90 and higher range.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOUR HEART

High blood pressure can become a serious heart condition if left untreated. This is why it’s important to seek out a skilled and qualified medical team to help you come to terms with and take care of your high blood pressure. At MedNorth Urgent Care, Drs. Shane Hill and Scott Rundle, along with their skilled medical staff, are trained to diagnose and treat hypertension. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of high blood pressure, feel free to stop by our Kalispell, MT office so we can help you.