Nearly half of the adult American population (some estimates are as high as 1 in 3 adults) suffers from high blood pressure. Many, however, do not know they have it. One of the leading causes of heart disease, stroke, chronic renal failure, and even shortened life expectancy, high blood pressure (or hypertension) is not something to be taken lightly. In 2011, 15,817 Missourians visited emergency rooms with high blood pressure as the principal diagnosis. Fortunately, hypertension is a condition that is easily detected (if patient blood pressure is monitored/tracked correctly) and treated if patients have access to proper care and treatment.
Certain risk factors can increase the chance of developing high blood pressure including obesity, excessive salt consumption, diabetes, high cholesterol, alcohol/smoking usage, and even age or racial demographics. Research suggests individuals aged 65 or older, African Americans, and adults with lower socioeconomic status have a higher prevalence of hypertension. Although controlling hypertension reduces the risk of disease and poor health outcomes, many citizens receive inadequate treatment.
The American Heart Association uses the adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” to emphasize the importance of avoiding high blood pressure altogether. But for thousands of Missourians, specifically those within more rural areas, hypertension is difficult to avoid. By promoting education and treatment, especially within high-risk populations, clinicians and local healthcare professionals can provide effective interventions in their unique communities.
Cape Family Medical Clinic offers multiple programs that bring together a multidisciplinary team of experts to improve blood pressure control and optimize outcomes for patients with hypertension. Through in-person care, telehealth, or us visiting patients in their homes, we ensure our communities have exceptional access to care, where they are, and when they have time. Cape Family Medical Clinic does everything we can to reduce the barriers to healthcare.
Through videoconferencing and case-based programs from real experiences and scenarios, our patients develop advanced skills to improve their outcomes. We even cover a wide range of topics for learning and discussion that includes smoking cessation, managing adverse drug events, persistent hypertension, pregnancy and hypertension, and health equity: preventative care and rural health. We believe that the more we educate our patients the better off they will be – knowledge is power.
Hypertension is a very serious medical concern, but at the same time, it can be easily treated. Allow Cape Family Medical Clinic to not only help you understand everything about hypertension but also, all pieces of your overall health. Don’t hesitate, to schedule your appointment today.
