High Blood Pressure

About half of adults in the United States have high hypertension, also called high blood pressure. At PrimaryWerx, a telehealth primary and urgent care practice based in Saint Johns, Florida, skilled physician assistant Jennifer Matthews, PA-C, helps you manage high blood pressure using healthy lifestyle habits, medications, or combinations of treatments. Schedule a telehealth evaluation at PrimaryWerx by phone or online today. 

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure appears when the pressure in blood vessel walls is higher than average, caused by the force of blood pushing against artery walls. Your heart has to work harder to pump blood, increasing the risk of a stroke or heart attack. Properly managing high blood pressure reduces your chance of medical complications and can even save your life. 

What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?

High blood pressure often doesn’t cause symptoms unless the pressure inside blood vessel walls is dangerously high. If this is the case, you may experience headaches, nosebleeds, or shortness of breath. 

Routine blood pressure screenings are vital to detect hypertension in its early stages.

What may contribute to high blood pressure?

Hypertension risk factors include:

• Aging
• Obesity
• Family history of high blood pressure
• Lack of exercise
• Poor dietary habits
• Vaping or tobacco use
• High-sodium diet
• Low-potassium diet
• Pregnancy 
• Kidney disease
• Sleep apnea
• Diabetes 
• Stress
• Excess alcohol

When not addressed, high blood pressure boosts the risk of heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney issues, eye problems, and dementia. 

How does my provider diagnose and treat high blood pressure?

After being diagnosed with high blood pressure, Jennifer helps you manage your condition to prevent complications. She meets with you virtually to discuss any symptoms, your usual diet and exercise routine, other lifestyle habits, medications, body weight, and body mass index (BMI).

Jennifer may adjust your medications or lifestyle recommendations based on your unique situation. PrimaryWerx offers custom diet and exercise plans, medically supervised weight loss, medication management, and more to reduce blood pressure and your risk of complications. 

You might eat more fruits and vegetables, increase the potassium in your diet, decrease sodium-rich foods, eat more fiber, exercise more, and drink more water. It’s also important to avoid smoking, vaping, and excessive drinking and minimize stress.

Follow up with Jennifer routinely to ensure you maintain optimal blood pressure control and exceptional health and well-being. She also provides diabetes management, obesity treatment, preventive care, urgent care, primary care services, and wellness care. Same-day appointments are available when time is of the essence.

Schedule a virtual high blood pressure appointment at PrimaryWerx by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.