Blood Pressure Screenings

Blood Pressure Services

High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is sometimes called the “silent killer.” The only way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly. Individuals often do not understand what number ranges are considered normal or high. Many people also do not understand the severity of the consequences of having high blood pressure.
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Because of this, a state-wide program has been developed called the CARE Collaborative. CARE stands for Cardiovascular Assessment, Risk Reduction, and Education. The goals of the CARE Collaborative program are to:

Increase the number of adults age 18 and above who have their blood pressure measured and can state whether it is normal or high.
Increase the proportion of persons appropriately educated about health behaviors and lifestyle changes.
Increase the number of participants who are taking action to help control their elevated blood pressure by focusing on health behaviors.

Join the program and receive a free blood pressure monitor!

Blood Pressure Services

Types of High Blood Pressure

Primary - also called essential hypertensions, this type does not have any symptoms and is the most common form of hypertension
Secondary - this form of hypertension can be controlled and is often caused by kidney disease, medications, sleep apnea, adrenal gland tumors, or thyroid problems
Resistant - when blood pressure remains at too high a level after being treated with three medications
Isolated Systolic - mostly seen in elderly patients, this type of hypertension occurs when systolic pressure is above 140 and diastolic pressure remains normal
Malignant - this rare type of hypertension ,which occurs when blood pressures rises at an extremely fast pace, is the most dangerous and should be treated by a medical professional right away
White Coat Hypertension - occurs when nerves and anxiety affect a person's blood pressure reading when visiting a doctor's office and cause blood pressure levels to rise when the levels would usually be normal

Blood Pressure Services

Blood Pressure Screenings

A reading of your blood pressure measures what happens when your heart beats and the walls of your blood vessels contract to move blood throughout your body. A high reading indicates your body is working harder than it should and there is less room in your blood vessels. The top number in a blood pressure reading (120/80, for example) is the systolic pressure. This is the measurement when your blood vessel walls contract (squeeze). The bottom number is the diastolic pressure. This is the measurement when the blood vessel walls relax between heartbeats. Your blood pressure isn't a fixed number. It varies depending on your activity level, stress and other factors.