Strokes are the No. 4 killer and a leading cause of disability for adults in the United States. May is Stroke Awareness Month. One precursor to stroke is high blood pressure. According to the American Stroke Association, nearly half of American adults, have high blood pressure, also called hypertension. High blood pressure increases the risk of stroke. Even if you have high blood pressure readings some of the time, you should get checked out.
An article by Neurologist Christopher David Anderson, MD, MSC explains that when blood pressure is high, blood flows through arteries with more force than it should. This excess force puts pressure on your arteries, damaging them.
You can manage blood pressure through lifestyle and, if necessary, medication that can significantly reduce your stroke risk.
Several risk factors are controllable
Healthline details these key risk factors for high blood pressure:
- Being overweight or obese
- Lack of physical activity
- High sodium intake
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Smoking (or vaping)
- Caffeine
- Lack of high-quality sleep
- Taking certain medications
- Underlying health conditions such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease, pregnancy
Take action
If you have high blood pressure, what can you do?
Knowledge is power: Getting your blood pressure checked is a good starting point. Then, if you have high blood pressure, make sure to monitor it regularly.
Lifestyle matters: Eating a balanced diet – including avoiding too much sodium, exercising regularly, managing stress, reaching and maintaining a healthy body weight, and avoiding smoking or vaping can help you achieve a healthy blood pressure level.
We’re Here to Help
Urgent care is a good option if you:
- Have symptoms that may be related to high blood pressure
- Feel unwell and haven’t had your blood pressure checked recently
- Have a history of hypertension and notice new or worsening symptoms
- Need a same-day evaluation without waiting for a primary care appointment
If something feels off or you need your blood pressure checked, Hometown Urgent Care and Hometown Primary Care is here to help, offering convenient, accessible care when you need answers fast.
If you don’t have a primary care provider, we can get you in the same week, sometimes the same day at Hometown Primary Care.
Walk in or schedule ahead today:
https://myhometownuc.com/locations/