Why Does Your Primary Care Provider Care About Your Blood Pressure?
One of the first things that happens when you have an appointment at a primary care center is that a nurse will take your blood pressure. This can be a slightly uncomfortable but nonetheless painless part of your regular exam.
You may wonder how your blood pressure translates to the rest of your health. Here's what you need to know.
What Does High Blood Pressure Indicate?
Your primary care provider uses the results of your reading to determine the force at which blood is traveling through your veins. If you have high blood pressure, it can show that you have some serious health issues.
So, what are these health issues? For one, your increased blood pressure could indicate damaged arteries or blockages.
What Are Risk Factors for High Blood Pressure?
You may have high blood pressure if you are older, have a family history of high blood pressure, or use tobacco. You can also experience high blood pressure if you eat too much salt or not enough potassium, or if you are considered obese or inactive.
It would be remiss not to mention stress as a factor. Most people experience some stress, but a lot of stress can lead to serious blood pressure issues. It can even be dangerous for your health, which makes management of your stress crucial.
What Advice Will Your Primary Care Provider Give You?
If you have high blood pressure, there are a few things your primary care provider will advise that you do. First, your doctor will assess the potential causes of your high blood pressure and try to address them one by one.
For one, it is important to avoid potential triggers. For some people, this is salt. For others, it is stressful situations. Coping strategies and diversions may be necessary.
Dietary changes and losing weight are other recommendations doctors may give to help bring this number down. Physical activity can help reduce blood pressure significantly in some patients, and it can improve wellness in other areas as well.
Medication is also an option for blood pressure. Your primary care provider may notice a pattern of high blood pressure and use medication to bring your blood pressure down to a safe level.
Worried About Blood Pressure?
Are you worried about your blood pressure? It may be time to make an appointment with a primary care provider. A doctor will test your blood pressure and determine what steps you should take for additional testing or for treatment.