High Blood Pressure Treatment in St. Petersburg, FL
Steady monitoring, clear explanations and medication management to protect your heart, brain and kidneys over the long run.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. A reading has two numbers. The top number is the pressure when your heart beats, and the bottom number is the pressure between beats. When these numbers stay high over time, the condition is called high blood pressure, or hypertension.
High pressure makes your heart work harder and slowly damages blood vessels. Over the years this raises the risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and vision problems. One high reading does not mean you have it. The trend over several readings matters far more, which is why we look at your numbers over time.
Signs and Warning Signs of High Blood Pressure
Most people with high blood pressure feel completely fine, so the only reliable way to know is to have it measured.
Often no symptoms
Hypertension is often called a silent condition because it can do damage for years before you notice anything.
Morning headaches
Very high readings can cause headaches, usually at the back of the head. Most headaches are not caused by blood pressure, but it is worth checking.
Dizziness
Feeling lightheaded or off balance can be linked to blood pressure that is too high or to medicine that lowers it too much.
Shortness of breath
Getting winded with light activity can be a sign the heart is under strain.
Vision changes
Blurry vision can happen when high pressure affects the small vessels in the eyes.
Chest pain or pressure
This needs prompt medical attention, since it can signal a heart problem.
What Raises Your Risk
High blood pressure usually develops slowly from a mix of habits, genes and other health conditions.
- Family history of high blood pressure
- Getting older
- Extra weight and low physical activity
- A diet high in salt
- Diabetes or kidney disease
- Heavy alcohol use, smoking or ongoing stress
How We Treat High Blood Pressure
Our family medicine team manages high blood pressure as part of ongoing chronic disease care. We check your readings at each visit, ask about the numbers you take at home, and look at the trend instead of a single result. If you need medication, we explain why, start with what fits your health and other prescriptions, and adjust it at follow-up visits.
Because we draw labs in our office, kidney function, cholesterol and blood sugar can be checked during the same visit, and EKGs are done on-site when needed. If your care calls for a cardiologist or kidney specialist, we refer you to a trusted network and stay involved so your plan stays in one place.
- Blood pressure checks and a clear review of your trend over time
- Medication management, refills and dose adjustments
- In-house lab draws and on-site EKGs
- Referrals to specialists when you need them, with follow-up from us
When to See a Doctor
Book a visit if you have not had your blood pressure checked in the past year, or if your home readings are often higher than your goal. Call 911 for chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking, or a sudden severe headache.
- Home readings that are often above your target
- You were told your pressure was high at a pharmacy or another visit
- You have side effects from your blood pressure medicine
- You have diabetes, kidney disease or a family history of heart disease
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of doctor should I see for high blood pressure?
For most people, a primary care or family medicine provider is the right place to start. Our team diagnoses and manages hypertension every day and refers you to a cardiologist or kidney specialist when your situation calls for it.
What is the most effective treatment for high blood pressure?
It depends on your readings, your other health conditions and the medicines you already take. Many people do best with a mix of lifestyle changes and medication. Your provider will explain the options and adjust the plan at follow-up visits.
Can urgent care treat high blood pressure?
Urgent care can take a reading, but high blood pressure needs ongoing follow-up with the same team. Established patients at our office can often be seen the same day, so you can call us first when something comes up.
Do you take my insurance?
We accept most major insurance plans. Please call (727) 322-4227 so our front desk can verify your coverage before your visit.
Can I be seen by a Spanish-speaking provider?
Yes. Our services are available in English and Spanish, and Dr. Kathryn Syed is a bilingual family medicine physician.
Related Conditions
Treatments for High Blood Pressure
We Accept Most Major Insurance Plans
Most major insurances accepted, please call our office to verify
More than a doctor's office, we are your partners in health and more than a patient, you are part of our community.