The lower the better, and we don’t mean golf! We’re talking about blood pressure.
May is National High Blood Pressure Month, which focuses on educating the public about high blood pressure (hypertension) and its dangers. Elevated blood pressure (greater than 140 for the top number, or 90 for the bottom number) is a major risk factor for some of the most common and serious health problems: strokes, heart attacks, and heart and kidney failure, to name a few. And it’s still as “silent” a killer as it was decades ago, when the term was first coined. If you aren’t careful, the first inkling that you’ve got a problem may be waking up in the Emergency Room.
1) Visit Your Primary Care Physician
First and foremost, a visit to your doctor or primary care physician is of the utmost importance. Not all blood pressure elevations are hypertension – they may be due stress or temporary illness – and your doctor can help determine if you have a true pattern of elevation. (If you do not see your doctor on a regular basis, you can stop by your local urgent care center to find out exactly what you blood pressure is, or your local supermarket or pharmacy to purchase your own BP measuring device and track your own numbers.)
2) Track Your Eating Habits
If your pressure is elevated, track your eating habits. An elevation is often related to unmindful food intake, in particular consuming salt (sodium). The more sodium in your food or food seasonings, the more your blood pressure can rise: sodium is the first thing you want to cut from your diet. Instead of salt-rich soups, soy marinated Asian foods, or deli meats, try filling your diet with more fresh fruits and vegetables. These foods will not only help your blood pressure, but they will naturally make you feel more energized (for more information, look up the DASH diet, which has been proven to reduce blood pressure to a similar degree to medication).
3) Monitor Stress Levels
Watch your stress levels – everyone has some, but not “letting it go” can raise your numbers dramatically. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of your everyday life, it is essential to make healthy lifestyle choices to neutralize whatever stress you encounter. Exercising helps, but so does deliberately choosing to relax and recover. Get your 7+ hours of sleep every night. Set aside protected quiet time to unwind, meditate, or pray. Think twice about the cost of stresses that literally “raise your blood pressure,” and consider taking yourself out of those situations.
When contemplating your health, it is essential to recognize the importance of your blood pressure level and make decisions accordingly. Stop by our offices, we have caring doctors that would love to help you at whichever location is closest to you: Woodbridge Walk-In in Irvine, Fountain Valley Urgent Care, or Costa Mesa Urgent Care. Be sure to schedule an appointment to save time!
Dr. Bunten is originally from Huntington Beach, CA. He attended high school in Tokyo, Japan, went to college at UC San Diego and then to medical school in the Midwest. He returned home to California for residency training in Family Medicine at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center. His immediate family all reside in Huntington Beach.
Dr Fishbein has been in the practice of family medicine for over 35 years in Irvine. He received his undergraduate degree from Southern Illinois University, medical degree from Chicago Medical School, and completed his family medicine residency at Memorial Hospital of Long Beach.
Dr. Kim is the Medical Director of Family Care Centers, Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at Hoag Hospital, and a recipient of the Physicians of Excellence award from the Orange County Medical Association. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, and has been practicing in our community for over 20 years.
Dr. Memon is a board certified Family Medicine physician and recently completed her fellowship in Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine Medical Center. She attended Saint George’s University, School of Medicine and completed her residency at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center. Her interest in medicine started at an early age and has since evolved into a passionate career.
Dr. Gina Nguyen obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Irvine where she graduated Suma Cum Laude. She went to USC Keck School of Medicine, and returned to UC Irvine for a Family Medicine Residency. Since 2005, she worked at Kaiser Permanente, VNCOC, and Family Care Center Urgent Care.
Dr. Williams is Board Certified in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine. He is a native to Orange County and returned home after completing his medical degree at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. After completing his residency in family practice he successfully completed a fellowship in sports medicine.
Dr. Hye Lee is a board-certified Family Practice Physician, affiliated with the American Osteopathic Association and the American College of Osteopathic Family Practice.She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at UC Riverside and earned her medical degree from Des Moines University Osteopathic Medical Center. Afterward, she did her internship at Downey Regional Medical Center in California and has been a primary care physician since 2005.
Dr. Coyne is a board certified family practice physician and a California native. He completed his undergraduate degree at UCLA before earning his medical degree at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Dr Coyne spent 6 years in the US Air Force at Andrews and Luke Air Force bases, eventually separating as a Major. He enjoys working with patients of all ages.”
Dr. Jay Friehling is a Family Practice physician who has worked in Orange County since 1981. Born in Florida, he received his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and then earned a Medical Degree at the New York Medical College.” His healthcare interests include Diabetes, Geriatric Care, and Hospice Care.
Dr. Jennifer Shoquist is board certified in Family Medicine. Her special interest is woman’s health and her practice accepts patients from 6 years old to seniors. Dr. Shoquist received her M.D. degree at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston in Houston, Texas, and did her residency with Memorial Family Practice at memorial Southwest Hospital in Houston, Texas.
Dr. Tom is a board certified family medicine physician and native Californian. He received his bachelors of science with great distinction in biochemistry and honors in chemistry. Dr. Tom was awarded a Regents Scholarship to attend medical school at UC Irvine.
Dr. Yan attended Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Practice residency at Kern Medical Center in Bakersfield, California. She joined Family Care Center in 2001. She chose Family Practice because she enjoys working with a wide variety of people and because it provides a unique opportunity for continuing care.
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