High Blood Pressure

Summit Primary Care

Family Medicine located in Denver, CO, Colorado Springs, CO, Pueblo, CO & La Junta, CO

Having high blood pressure puts you at risk for a heart attack, stroke, or other serious health issues. Getting a blood pressure screening at Summit Primary Care in Denver, Colorado Springs, La Junta, and Pueblo, Colorado, is the first step you can take to understand your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, the compassionate and dedicated team offers comprehensive treatment options and expert guidance. Call or schedule an appointment online today to get started.

High Blood Pressure Q & A

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also called hypertension, is when your blood pressure — the force of blood flowing through your blood vessels — is too high. Almost half of American adults have high blood pressure, but many don’t know it.

Normal blood pressure should be below 120 mm Hg for your upper number and below 80 mm Hg for your lower number. Anything above 120/80 mm Hg is considered elevated or high blood pressure.

At Summit Primary Care, a blood pressure reading is part of your regular wellness checkup and only takes a couple of minutes to complete.

What are the risks of high blood pressure?

Unfortunately, high blood pressure is considered a silent killer — meaning it has no obvious signs or symptoms until it’s too late. Some lifestyle choices can put you at a greater risk for developing high blood pressure, including:

Lack of physical activity
An unhealthy diet, especially one high in sodium
Being overweight or obese
Drinking too much alcohol
Smoking and tobacco use
Sleep apnea
High cholesterol
Diabetes

These are all considered modifiable risk factors, meaning they’re something you can change. With the expert guidance available at Summit Primary Care, you can get help with your high blood pressure.

Why is high blood pressure dangerous?

High blood pressure is dangerous because it predisposes you to other major health issues, including:

Heart attack
Stroke
Heart failure
Kidney disease or failure
Vision loss
Sexual dysfunction
Angina (chest pain)
Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

High blood pressure can greatly impact your life and well-being. With a simple blood pressure reading, you can better understand your blood pressure and any of your risk factors.

The team provides realistic guidance to change your health habits and offers treatment for high blood pressure if needed.

How is high blood pressure treated?

Depending on your blood pressure reading, medical history, and risk factors, your provider creates a specialized treatment plan. They teach you how to lower your blood pressure naturally — with diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and quitting smoking.

If conservative treatments aren’t enough, your provider may prescribe an appropriate medication to help you.

By working with Summit Primary Care, you can get better treatment and reduce the dangers of high blood pressure. Call or schedule a visit online today.