Did you know a headache can be a symptom of high blood pressure? Though it’s often asymptomatic, high blood pressure is a serious problem that needs to be managed to prevent complications.
Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care in Thibodaux, LA, offers experienced medical care for high blood pressure, headaches, and many other conditions, illnesses, and injuries.
What is High Blood Pressure?
Your blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood away from your heart and throughout your body. If this pressure is too high consistently, it can damage your arteries and lead to serious problems, including coronary artery disease, heart attacks, stroke, and kidney failure.
A blood pressure measurement consists of two numbers. The first, systolic pressure, represents the pressure in your arteries while your heart beats (pumps blood). The second, your diastolic pressure, represents the pressure in your arteries while your heart relaxes in between beats.
Normal adult blood pressure is 120/80 or lower. A systolic pressure between 120 and 129 and a diastolic pressure less than 80 is considered elevated blood pressure. In stage 1 hypertension, your systolic is between 130 and 139, and your diastolic is between 80 and 89. Stage 2 hypertension involves a systolic over 140 and a diastolic above 90.
Symptoms of High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a unique condition in that many people aren’t even aware they have it. This is partly because it is often asymptomatic until it is quite high or very advanced.
If you do experience symptoms with high blood pressure, they may include:
- Shortness of breath.
- Nosebleeds.
- Headaches.
- Heart palpitations.
- Dizziness.
- Anxiety.
- Vomiting.
The Dangers of High Blood Pressure: Understanding Hypertensive Emergencies
A blood pressure over 180/120 is considered a hypertensive crisis, or hypertensive emergency. It may be accompanied by the above symptoms. If your blood pressure is this high, you need to be seen in an emergency room right away. You’ll need careful monitoring and medical care while your blood pressure is lowered to a safe level.
An untreated hypertensive emergency can result in life-threatening complications and must be treated right away.
If you experience symptoms like chest pain, neck, or jaw pain, slurring of your words, confusion, facial weakness, or weakness on one side of your body, you should also be seen in an ER right away.
When to Go to Urgent Care
If you have elevated, non-emergency high blood pressure (with or without a headache), urgent care is an excellent choice. A provider will assess your blood pressure, discuss your medical history, perform a physical exam, and provide the appropriate treatment to control your blood pressure and relieve any headache pain.
You may already see a primary care provider or specialist for high blood pressure. Sometimes, however, you may experience high blood pressure that is uncontrolled by your regular medication. You may be out of medication or unable to get an appointment at your regular clinic. Urgent care is a good choice in these situations.
Risk Factors for Hypertension
Risk factors for high blood pressure include:
- A family history of hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease.
- Being older than 55.
- A sedentary lifestyle.
- Being overweight.
- Eating salty foods.
- Smoking.
- Drinking too much alcohol.
Preventing High Blood Pressure
You can do many things to help prevent high blood pressure or lower it. It’s always a good idea to consult with your provider on significant lifestyle changes, like diet or exercise plans, especially if you have high blood pressure or other existing health conditions.
Lifestyle changes you can make include:
- Exercising regularly.
- Maintaining a healthy weight.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet (prioritize whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish, low-fat dairy, and potassium-rich foods).
- Avoid salty, processed, or fast foods.
- Limit alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
If you’re experiencing high blood pressure along with headaches or other symptoms, visit us at Thibodaux Regional Urgent Care. We offer a full range of services, including an onsite lab and diagnostic equipment, ensuring your provider can help manage your condition and start the treatment you need.
Visit us today for convenient, top-tier care near you.
