High Blood Pressure & Diabetes

High blood pressure affects almost half of Americans today, and Hispanic people are 24% more likely than Caucasians to have difficulty controlling their blood pressure long-term. At Low Cost Health Clinics, the leading family practice and urgent care clinics in Southern California, trustworthy bilingual Spanish and English speaking health care providers Shruti Patel, MD, Jose Ruiz, PA-C, and Roberto Guillen, PA, help people live healthier lives. There are seven offices in Anaheim, Riverside, Santa Ana, Corona, Costa Mesa, Cathedral City, and Indio, California. Walk-ins are available, or you can call the office nearest you or book online anytime. 

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

Your blood pressure is the strength with which your blood pushes against the walls of your blood vessels. Systolic blood pressure is the force your heart exerts within your arteries when pumping blood, and diastolic blood pressure is blood pressure pressure between heartbeats.

If you have high systolic or diastolic blood pressure, you may be diagnosed with high blood pressure.   

How can I check for high blood pressure? 

Low Cost Health Clinics makes it easy to check your blood pressure with free screenings. All community members are eligible for twice-yearly blood pressure screenings and glucose testing (diabetes testing). Free screenings occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8-10 am.

You can also get a blood pressure check anytime you come to the Low Cost Health Clinics office for a physical exam, urgent care, or other medical needs. 

How are high blood pressure and diabetes connected?

People with diabetes are about twice as likely to have high blood pressure. 

One reason is because diabetes inhibits normal nitric oxide use. Nitric oxide promotes blood vessel elasticity and optimal blood flow, so with too little nitric oxide, the blood vessels stiffen and narrow. That raises your risk of high blood pressure.

Diabetes can also cause kidney damage over time. That can lead to water and salt retention, which can cause high blood pressure.  

People with both high blood pressure and diabetes have a higher risk of heart attack and stroke. But, with help from Low Cost Clinics, you can manage your chronic conditions and enjoy a long healthy life.

How can I manage my high blood pressure?

Low Cost Health Clinics provides chronic care management to help you live with and control your blood pressure. 

Everyone with high blood pressure should have an annual electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood work to monitor their health once a year. The promotional packages at Low Cost Health Clinics offer these services and many others for an affordable price. 

Lifestyle changes, including weight management, healthy diet, exercise, and avoiding smoking and drinking, help control your blood pressure. You may need medication as well. Low Cost Health Clinics has an in-house pharmacy where you can get your medication right away.

You can walk in anytime, call Low Cost Health Clinics, or book your appointment through online scheduling now.