High Blood Pressure Specialist

Steese Immediate Care

Urgent Care, Family Medicine, & Primary Care located in Fairbanks, AK

Almost half of all American adults have high blood pressure, but only about a quarter have their disease under control. This may be because most people don’t know they have high blood pressure until they suffer a heart attack or stroke. At Steese Immediate Care in Fairbanks, Alaska, Johanna Alvarez, FNP, and Matija Meenaghan, PA-C, provide expert, personalized high blood pressure management services to help you protect your health and quality of life. Call the clinic today or schedule an appointment online for state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment.

907-374-7911

High Blood Pressure Q & A

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common contributing factor to cardiovascular health issues, such as heart attack and stroke.

Your blood pressure is the force exerted by your blood onto the inside walls of your blood vessels. It’s measured with two figures: your systolic pressure (when your heart beats) and diastolic pressure (when your heart rests). You typically see it written as 120/80 mm Hg.

High blood pressure develops when your blood pressure increases above 120/80 mm Hg. As your reading increases, so does the severity of your condition.

How do I know if I have high blood pressure?

High blood pressure doesn’t usually cause symptoms in its early stages, so you’re most likely to notice a potential problem during a routine wellness visit. However, as high blood pressure progresses, you might notice headaches or shortness of breath.

If your provider at Steese Immediate Care is concerned about an elevated blood pressure result, they order additional testing. They test your blood pressure at different times of day to ensure your high result wasn’t a one-off. Your provider also orders lab tests to identify other health issues that can cause high blood pressure.

What is high blood pressure management?

High blood pressure management is the medical practice of managing your blood pressure to protect your health. In many cases, you can lower your blood pressure with lifestyle modifications, although in some cases, you might need medication to manage your condition.

What is included in high blood pressure management?

The team at Steese Immediate Care offers personalized treatment programs to lower your blood pressure and restore your health. Most programs include the following elements:

Monitoring

The team provides regular blood pressure monitoring. This helps them keep an eye on your health and make sure that your treatment is working.

Lifestyle advice

Many of the factors that lead to high blood pressure are under your control, including your diet, exercise habits, and whether or not you use tobacco products. The team at Steese Immediate Care offers customized advice to help you make healthier choices to lower your blood pressure.

Medication

If lifestyle modifications aren’t enough to lower your blood pressure, the team at Steese Immediate Care can prescribe medication to help. Drugs like statins, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors are common blood pressure medications.

If you’re concerned about high blood pressure or are due for an annual wellness exam, call Steese Immediate Care or make an appointment online today.

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