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  1. UAMS Health
  2. Conditions
  3. High Blood Pressure

Condition: High Blood Pressure

Also called: Hypertension

Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. The pressure is the highest when the heart beats and pumps blood into the vessels, and the pressure is the lowest in between beats when the heart relaxes.

You must have your blood pressure numbers recorded in order to know if you have high blood pressure or hypertension. There are two numbers recorded, the top number and the bottom number. The top number, or systolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart pumps blood through the body. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, refers to the pressure inside the artery when the heart is at rest.

A 120/80 or lower is considered a normal blood pressure reading. A 140/90 or higher is considered a high reading. A systolic reading between 120 and 139 and a diastolic reading between 80 and 89 is considered high or prehypertension.

Risks Factors

Nearly one-third of all Americans have high blood pressure, but those who are at most risk include:

  • People with diabetes, gout or kidney disease
  • People with a family history of high blood pressure
  • African Americans, particularly those in the southeastern United States
  • Men in their early to middle adult years
  • Women in their middle to later adult years, particularly after menopause
  • People age 60 and older
  • Women who take oral contraceptives

Other factors that can cause high blood pressure include:

  • Obesity
  • Excessive sodium intake
  • A lack of physical activity
  • Excessive alcohol consumption

High blood pressure increases the risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Because there are usually no signs or symptoms of high blood pressure, the best way to know if your blood pressure is high is to have it checked regularly. You can have it checked by your doctor or health care provider, or you can check it yourself at home with an electronic blood pressure monitor.

Controlling High Blood Pressure

High blood usually can be controlled through lifestyle changes. However, some people may have to take medication daily and check their blood pressure routinely.

Ways you can control high blood pressure include:

  • Eating foods low in sodium, calories and fat
  • Eating foods high in fiber
  • Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight if required
  • Eating smaller portions of food
  • Increasing physical activity
  • Reducing or limiting alcohol

Treatments and Procedures Related to High Blood Pressure

  • Nutritional Counseling

Providers Treating High Blood Pressure

Note that every provider listed below may not perform or prescribe all treatments or procedures related to High Blood Pressure. Review each provider for availability.

Alice P. Alexander, M.D.

Alice P. Alexander, M.D. Internist

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Sheena W. CarlLee, M.D.

Sheena W. CarlLee, M.D. Internist

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William E. Golden, M.D.

William E. Golden, M.D. Internist

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Robert H. Hopkins Jr., M.D.

Robert H. Hopkins Jr., M.D. Internist

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Mohammad Ilyas, M.D. Pediatric Nephrologist

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Michelle C. Whittier Krause, M.D.

Michelle C. Whittier Krause, M.D. Nephrologist

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Robert C. Lavender, M.D.

Robert C. Lavender, M.D. Internist

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Jawahar L. 'Jay' Mehta, M.D., Ph.D.

Jawahar L. "Jay" Mehta, M.D., Ph.D. Cardiologist

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Matthew D. Plotkin, M.D.

Matthew D. Plotkin, M.D. Nephrologist

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Mary Katherine Rude, M.D.

Mary Katherine Rude, M.D. Hepatologist

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Thomas K. Schulz, M.D.

Thomas K. Schulz, M.D. Internist

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Sara G. Tariq, M.D.

Sara G. Tariq, M.D. Internist

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Locations Where Providers Treat High Blood Pressure

Family Medical Center, North Central

Family Medical Center — Batesville

1993 Harrison St.
Batesville, AR 72501

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 793-2540
New and Returning Patients
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UAMS Northwest exterior (FMC sign)

Family Medical Center — Fayetteville

1125 N. College Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 521-8260
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Family Medical Center — Fort Smith

1301 S. E St.
Fort Smith, AR 72901

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 785-2431
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Northeast building exterior

Family Medical Center — Jonesboro

311 E. Matthews St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 972-0063
New and Returning Patients
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Exterior of Family Medical Center - Little Rock

Family Medical Center — Little Rock

521 Jack Stephens Drive
First floor
Little Rock, AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
(501) 686-6560
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Family Medical Center - Magnolia

Family Medical Center — Magnolia

1617 N. Washington St.
Magnolia, AR 71753

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 234-7676
New and Returning Patients
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Family Medical Center, Pine Bluff

Family Medical Center — Pine Bluff

1601 W. 40th Ave.
Pine Bluff, AR 71603

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 541-6000
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
NW Hospital exterior

Family Medical Center — Springdale

601 W. Maple Ave.
Suite 102
Springdale, AR 72764

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 750-6585
New and Returning Patients
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UAMS Family Medical Center, Texarkana

Family Medical Center — Texarkana

3417 U of A Way
Texarkana, AR 71854

Appointment Phone Number
(870) 779-6000
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
exterior of North Street Clinic

Neighborhood Clinic — North Street

1125 N. College Ave.
First Floor
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
(479) 713-8701
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
UAMS Medical Center exterior

Student Health Clinic

4301 W. Markham St.
Central Building
Ground Floor, Room 600
Little Rock , AR 72205

Appointment Phone Number
(501) 686-6381
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions

Areas of Expertise for High Blood Pressure

Image of a male cardiologist gesturing while discussing diagnosis with an unrecognizable female patient.

Heart and Vascular Care

Being a patient at UAMS Health means that you have access to the experts. They work together to give you care that covers all areas of cardiovascular medicine.

View Area of Expertise
Image of a male doctor examining a young girl as her mother sits nearby.

Primary Care

Primary care is a term used to describe the setting in which a health care provider acts as the first point of consultation for a patient. The term “PCP” can …

View Area of Expertise

Make an Appointment

Request an appointment by contacting a clinic directly or by calling the UAMS Health appointment line at (501) 686-8000.

UAMS Health LogoUAMS HealthUniversity of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Mailing Address: 4301 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: (501) 686-7000
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