High Blood Pressure, or hypertension, is a condition that affects approximately 47%, or 116 million people in the US, according to the CDC. While ranging in severity, symptoms of high blood pressure can include:
- Blurred vision
- Headaches
- Breathlessness/Dizziness
- Heart palpitations
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
Blood pressure is measured using a machine called a sphygmomanometer, which measures your Systolic Blood Pressure (the pressure inside your arteries) and Diastolic blood pressure (the pressure inside your artery between beats). A reading of 140/09mmHg or above is classified as high blood pressure, and is an indication that you should seek medical assistance.
Table of Contents
- Can You Go to Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
- When Should You Go to Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
- What to Expect When Visiting Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
- When to Seek Emergency Care and When to Go to the ER?
- If It’s Not an Emergency Try Virtual Urgent Care!
- How Can DrHouse Help You?
- Key Takeaways
Can You Go to Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
Most people do not have access to a sphygmomanometer (blood pressure cuff) at home, meaning it can be hard to know whether or not you are experiencing high blood pressure. However, if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, visiting an urgent care center, or virtual urgent care center means that you can access healthcare support and advice sooner, rather than later.
When Should You Go to Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
Many studies agree that the broad spectrum of disease, from asymptomatic to critically ill, creates a dilemma for the emergency physician in deciding how and when in the process to intervene.
However, as a general rule of thumb, you should visit urgent care if you are dealing with a range of high blood pressure symptoms and would like to receive a formal diagnosis or some support. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, you should forgo urgent care and head straight to the ER.
What to Expect When Visiting Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
When visiting Urgent Care, you should register your attendance with the receptionist upon arrival. They will ask you to describe your symptoms, as this could impact your wait time or place in the queue.
When meeting with a physician, they will carry out a blood pressure reading and other routine tests. Following this, they will suggest what the best next step is for you. If they think your high blood pressure is a symptom of a deeper condition, they will carry out additional tests. Alternatively, they’ll suggest medication or treatment options with you, including lifestyle changes you can make.
When to Seek Emergency Care and When to Go to the ER?
The Cleveland Clinic recommends that you seek emergency care if:
- Your blood pressure reading is 180/120 or above.
- You’re experiencing severe chest pains.
- You’re struggling to breathe.
- You have muscle numbness/weakness.
If It’s Not an Emergency Try Virtual Urgent Care!
If you are not dealing with an emergency but are still worried about your symptoms, you should reach out to a telehealth professional.
One of the biggest benefits of telemedicine is the fact that your health concerns are addressed promptly, without having to wait hours in an urgent care center waiting for your name to be called. This way, you will receive quick access to the support you need – without having to leave your home.
How Can DrHouse Help You?
DrHouse is a telehealth app that can provide you with access to a board-certified doctor in minutes. Whether you are experiencing high blood pressure, or any other medical symptom, our team of healthcare professionals can help.
Our online doctors can diagnose and treat your conditions, provide you with a prescription if required, and even get the meds delivered to your door.
If you are concerned about your high blood pressure symptoms, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can help!
FAQ
Can I Go to Urgent Care for High Blood Pressure?
If you are experiencing the signs of symptoms of high blood pressure, you can visit your local urgent care or consult with a physician through virtual urgent care services.
How Is High Blood Pressure Treated at Urgent Care?
The way in which high blood pressure is treated at urgent care depends upon the severity of the symptoms you are facing. For example, if your physician believes that only lifestyle changes, such as exercising more frequently or altering your diet, they’ll give you some advice on this.
Alternatively, they may prescribe you some medication designed to bring your blood pressure down to a healthy rate. If this is the case, it is crucial that you adhere to the medication schedule laid out by your doctor.
What Are the Risks of Not Seeking Treatment for High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure can lead to a range of medical conditions, meaning that seeking treatment is crucial in managing your health moving forward. For example, people with high blood pressure may have a greater chance of developing cardiovascular disease.
Are There Any Self-Care Measures I Can Take To Lower My Blood Pressure?
There are many self-care measures you can follow to lower your blood pressure at home or within your daily routine. This includes:
Exercise regularly and ensure you maintain a healthy weight.
Follow a healthy diet, and avoid eating foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and salt (sodium).
Quit smoking since it has long been known that blood pressure and heart rate increase during smoking.
Reduce stress in your daily life, as this can cause your blood pressure to skyrocket.
Reducing your alcohol intake, as regular consumption of alcohol elevates blood pressure, with global estimates that the attributable risk for hypertensive disease from alcohol is 16%.
Ensure that you get enough sleep each evening, as a lack of proper rest can also lead to an increase in your blood pressure as you put your body under stress.
Key Takeaways
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a serious health condition that must be carefully managed. Those dealing with the condition should do plenty of research to ensure their lifestyle is not contributing to their blood pressure, and make any necessary changes as a result.
If symptoms become urgent, they should head to their local ER. In non-emergency scenarios, virtual or in-person urgent care facilities can provide them with access to healthcare support. In addition to providing them with a formal diagnosis, they can suggest a range of treatment options and put together a plan that will help them to better their health.
If you’re looking for healthcare support, please do not hesitate to reach out today. Our virtual urgent care services are open 24/7, and you’ll be able to receive the support of a qualified, experienced medical professional from the comfort of your own home.
Sources:
- Facts About Hypertension. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm
- High Blood Pressure: When to Seek Emergency Care. Cleveland Clinic. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/16563-high-blood-pressure–when-to-seek-emergency-care
- Puddey, I.B. and Beilin, L.J. (2006), ALCOHOL IS BAD FOR BLOOD PRESSURE. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 33: 847-852. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04452.x
- Per Omvik (1996) How smoking affects blood pressure, Blood Pressure, 5:2, 71-77, DOI: 10.3109/08037059609062111
- Flávio D. Fuchs, Paul K. Whelton. High Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease. 2020, Hypertension, Pages 285-292, Volume 75, Issue 2. Doi:https://www.doi.org/10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.119.14240
- Martha N. Hill, Nancy Houston Miller, Sabina DeGeest. Adherence and persistence with taking medication to control high blood pressure. Journal of the American Society of Hypertension. Volume 5, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 56-63, ISSN 1933-1711. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jash.2011.01.001.
- Philip H. Shayne, Stephen R. Pitts. Severely increased blood pressure in the emergency department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 41, Issue 4, 2003, Pages 513-529, ISSN 0196-0644. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1067/mem.2003.114.
- Philip H. Shayne, Stephen R. Pitts. Severely increased blood pressure in the emergency department. Annals of Emergency Medicine, Volume 41, Issue 4, 2003, Pages 513-529, ISSN 0196-0644. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1067/mem.2003.114.
DrHouse articles are written by MDs, NPs, nutritionists and other healthcare professionals. The contents of the DrHouse site are for informational purposes only and are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing high fever (>103F/39.4C), shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chest pain, heart palpitations, abnormal bruising, abnormal bleeding, extreme fatigue, dizziness, new weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech, confusion, extreme pain in any body part, or inability to remain hydrated or keep down fluids or feel you may have any other life-threatening condition, please go to the emergency department or call 911 immediately.
