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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

Contents

  • Treatments & Procedures
  • Providers
  • Locations
  • Areas of Expertise
  • Make an Appointment

Treatments and Procedures Related to High Blood Pressure

UAMS providers perform and prescribe a broad range of treatments and procedures, some of which may not be listed below.

  • Exercise
  • 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.

Filter the Providers


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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Sharon C. Reece, M.D.

Sharon C. Reece, M.D. Family Medicine Physician

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Mary Katherine Rude, M.D.

Mary Katherine Rude, M.D. Hepatologist

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Sara G. Tariq, M.D.

Sara G. Tariq, M.D. Internist

View Profile
Holly B. Trotta, CNP

Holly B. Trotta, CNP Acute Care Nurse Practitioner

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Larry D. Wright, M.D.

Larry D. Wright, M.D. Internal Medicine Geriatrician

View Profile

Locations Where Providers Treat High Blood Pressure

Note that the treatment of High Blood Pressure may not be performed at every location listed below. The list may include locations where the treatment plan is developed during and after a patient visit.

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Family Medical Center, North Central

Family Medical Center in Batesville

1993 Harrison St.
Batesville, AR 72501

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

Family Medical Center in 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 in 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 in Jonesboro

311 E. Matthews St.
Jonesboro, AR 72401

Appointment Phone Number
870-972-0063
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Exterior of Family Medical Center - Little Rock

Family Medical Center in 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 in Magnolia

1617 N. Washington St.
Magnolia, AR 71753

Appointment Phone Number
870-234-7676
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Family Medical Center, Pine Bluff

Family Medical Center in 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 in Springdale

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

Appointment Phone Number
479-750-6585
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
Exterior of UAMS Health Family Medical Center in Texarkana

Family Medical Center in 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 UAMS - Financial Center Parkway

Medical Weight Management Clinic

11300 Financial Centre Parkway
Pyramid Park
Rooms 237-239
Little Rock, AR 72211

Appointment Phone Number
501-614-2340
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
exterior of North Street Clinic

Neighborhood Clinic in Fayetteville

1125 N. College Ave.
Fayetteville, AR 72703

Appointment Phone Number
479-713-8701
New and Returning Patients
View Location Get Directions
exterior of North Street Clinic

North Street Clinic (Part of Neighborhood Clinic in Fayetteville)

1125 N. College Ave.
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
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

doctor using stethoscope to exam patient heart

Adult Heart Care

Trust your heart to the expert cardiologists, interventional cardiologists and heart surgeons here at UAMS. Your heart is safe in their expert hands.

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Cardiac Electrophysiology (Part of Adult Heart Care)

The heart is one of the body's most unique muscles. Always pumping, it keeps a steady pace and does its duty of supplying blood to muscles, organs, and tissues.

View Area of Expertise

Cardiothoracic Surgery (Part of Adult Heart Care)

Commonly called open-heart surgery, cardiothoracic surgery focuses on the heart, blood vessels, heart valves, esophagus, and lungs.

View Area of Expertise

Interventional Cardiology (Part of Adult Heart Care)

UAMS Health's interventional cardiology specialists are the experts in diagnosing heart issues and clearing clogged arteries.

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

Primary Care

Seeing a primary care provider is a great way to get healthy and stay that way. Let a UAMS Health provider get you to a better state of health.

View Area of Expertise

Structural Heart Care (Part of Adult Heart Care)

When the issue is a heart valve problem or a hole in the heart, this can be solved by our structural heart disease specialists.

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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