High Blood Pressure

Up to 47% of adults have high blood pressure, a potentially serious condition that increases their risk of a heart attack or stroke. Unfortunately, high blood pressure rarely presents symptoms, so you might not know you’re at risk. At Open Door Medical Clinic in Great Falls, Montana, Melonie Parmley, DO, Ardine Balili, PAC, and the team of primary care specialists provide diagnosis and treatment of high blood pressure. Caught early on, they can prevent it from worsening. To make an appointment, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

What is high blood pressure?

If you have high blood pressure, the force of the blood pumping against the walls of your arteries remains higher than average. When your blood pressure remains high for months or even years, it increases your risk of a potentially life-threatening cardiovascular event.

Many doctors call high blood pressure the “silent killer” because it’s sneaky; typically, it doesn’t present noticeable symptoms, so you might be at risk but not know it. You can reduce your risk by visiting Open Door Medical Clinic for routine checkups and blood pressure readings.

What are the types of high blood pressure?

At Open Door Medical Clinic, the team treats both types of blood pressure, including:

Primary high blood pressure

Primary high blood pressure occurs slowly due to lifestyle factors, like smoking, drinking alcohol, or a lack of exercise. 

Secondary high blood pressure

Secondary high blood pressure comes on suddenly. Usually, it’s due to an underlying health problem, like kidney disease, thyroid disease, or diabetes. 

What happens if high blood pressure goes untreated?

If high blood pressure goes untreated, you’re more likely to experience various health problems, including:

• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Vascular dementia
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Kidney failure
• Complications during pregnancy

High blood pressure can even increase your risk of vision loss.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

To diagnose high blood pressure, your Open Door Medical Clinic provider reviews your medical records and performs a physical exam. During the exam, your provider takes your blood pressure with an inflatable cuff connected to a pressure-measuring gauge.

A blood pressure reading has two numbers and is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm/Hg). There are several categories of blood pressure measurements, including:

• Normal blood pressure (A reading of 120/80 mm/Hg or lower)
• Elevated blood pressure (A reading of 120-129/80 mm/Hg)
• Stage 1 hypertension (A reading of 130-139/80-89 mm/Hg)
• Stage 2 hypertension (A reading of 140/90 mm/Hg or higher)

After determining the type of high blood pressure you have, the team makes treatment recommendations.

How is high blood pressure treated?

At Open Door Medical Clinic, the team treats high blood pressure with healthy lifestyle changes and medication management. If you have elevated blood pressure, your provider might recommend losing weight, eating a healthier diet, and exercising regularly. You might also benefit from stress management techniques, like yoga or meditation.

If your blood pressure remains high, even after making these changes, the team might prescribe:

• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers
• Calcium channel blockers
• Diuretics

These medications help keep your blood pressure at healthy levels, reducing the risk of a heart attack or stroke.

To explore the treatment options for high blood pressure, make an appointment at Open Door Medical Clinic by calling the nearest office or booking online today.