When patients in the Humble area visit the Northeast Urgent Care Clinics and Deerbrook Family Clinic, they will have their blood pressure measured by a nurse. It is a simple and easy thing for nurses to do as part of the patient intake process. Taking blood pressure is very important. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can be harmful if left untreated. If the blood pressure is really high, it could be life threatening. Strokes, heart failure, and kidney disease can result from hypertension. If the family doctor in Humble determines that a patient has high blood pressure, he or she will take steps to help the patient lower his or her blood pressure numbers.
There are a number of things that the family doctor in Humble will recommend for treating hypertension. First of all, diet and exercise can help a lot. In particular, a diet that is low in sodium will help with blood pressure since sodium can cause water retention. The excess water causes the heart to work harder to pump the blood. High sodium can lead to other problems such as heart failure, kidney disease, and stroke. Those who are overweight can benefit from exercise. Weight loss will help with hypertension.
Many patients cannot achieve normal blood pressure numbers with diet and exercise alone. Fortunately, there are blood pressure medications that patients can take. Although most patients are able to take blood pressure medications with problems, the side effects can be problematic for some. For example, some of these medications cause an increased urgency to urinate. That is due to the diuretic properties of the medication. Another possible problem is excessive coughing. Fortunately, there are blood pressure medications that do not cause patients to cough. Patients that have issues with their blood pressure medications should contact their physicians for help.
With medications along with diet and exercise, it is possible for patients to achieve normal blood pressure. Hypertension can shorten a life significantly. High blood pressure can cause a lot of serious complications that can affect quality of life. That is why it is important for patients with hypertension to get treatment from their physicians.
