High Blood Pressure Doctors in Charlotte
High blood pressure usually has no symptoms, so the numbers are what count. Our primary care providers in Charlotte treat high blood pressure every day: we check your readings, find the right medicine and dose, and see you for follow-ups until your numbers are where they should be. If readings become uncontrolled without emergency symptoms, seek prompt assessment during clinic hours. Severe symptoms require emergency care rather than waiting for a clinic visit.
- ✓ Most high blood pressure is treated by a primary care provider
- ✓ Home readings, EKG and labs to guide your treatment
- ✓ Medicines and doses adjusted at follow-ups until you’re in range
- ✓ Uncontrolled readings? Seek prompt assessment; emergency symptoms need 911
- ✓ Two Charlotte clinics, open 7 days a week
- ✓ Referral to a heart or kidney specialist when you need one
Apply online, and we call you within 1 to 2 business days to book your first visit at Steele Creek. Reading high today? Follow the urgent-care and emergency guidance below rather than waiting for application review.
On this page
What your numbers meanWhy treat itWhen to come inHow we treat itHigh only at the doctor?Checking at homeBecome a patientInsuranceOur clinics
What your blood pressure numbers mean
Blood pressure has two numbers. The top number (systolic) is the pressure when your heart beats. The bottom number (diastolic) is the pressure between beats. The ranges below are the American Heart Association’s blood pressure categories.
| Category | Top number | Bottom number | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | Under 120 | and under 80 | Keep up healthy habits and check at your yearly physical |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 | and under 80 | Lifestyle changes; talk with your provider |
| Stage 1 high blood pressure | 130 to 139 | or 80 to 89 | See a provider. Lifestyle changes, and medicine for some people |
| Stage 2 high blood pressure | 140 or higher | or 90 or higher | See a provider. Most people need medicine |
| Hypertensive crisis | Higher than 180 | and/or higher than 120 | Without emergency symptoms, wait at least 1 minute and recheck. If still this high, contact a healthcare professional immediately. With concerning symptoms, call 911 without waiting for another reading |
Source: American Heart Association, Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. The “What to do” column is OneSpotMD’s advice.
A single elevated reading does not usually establish chronic hypertension. Your provider may use repeated office, home or ambulatory readings to confirm it. Very high readings or emergency symptoms still require immediate action.
Why treat high blood pressure, even if you feel fine
The CDC says high blood pressure is often called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. You can feel fine while it strains your heart and blood vessels. If it isn’t found and controlled, the American Heart Association says it can lead to:
- Heart attack and heart disease
- Stroke
- Heart failure
- Kidney disease or kidney failure
- Vision loss
- Sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction
Source: CDC, Heart Disease Risk Factors and American Heart Association, Health Threats From High Blood Pressure
The good news: high blood pressure is easy to check and can be treated. Regular follow-ups help keep your numbers in range and protect your heart, brain, kidneys and eyes.
When to come in
- A top number of 130 or higher or bottom number of 80 or higher on more than one day: see a provider. Apply to be a patient, or walk in for a visit.
- Your blood pressure was controlled and now it isn’t: seek prompt assessment during open hours rather than waiting for your next routine appointment; use emergency care for the symptoms below.
- Top number higher than 180 or bottom number higher than 120: if you have no emergency symptoms, wait at least 1 minute and recheck. If still that high, contact a healthcare professional immediately for next steps.
- A top number higher than 180 or bottom number higher than 120 with chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, numbness, weakness, a change in vision or trouble speaking
- Signs of a stroke: face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking
Source: American Heart Association, When To Call 911 About High Blood Pressure
Pregnant? High blood pressure during pregnancy or after delivery needs prompt obstetric advice and can be serious at lower readings than the adult crisis threshold above. Contact your OB right away; severe headache, vision changes, chest pain, breathing difficulty, severe upper abdominal pain or sudden swelling needs urgent evaluation. Call 911 for severe or life-threatening symptoms.
How we treat high blood pressure
| Step | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Your readings | We check your blood pressure in the clinic and review your home readings, so we see more than one number on one day. |
| Tests | An EKG when needed, and labs such as kidney function, potassium, blood sugar and cholesterol, drawn in the clinic and sent to Quest. |
| Lifestyle | Practical changes that lower blood pressure: less salt, more activity, weight loss if needed, less alcohol and better sleep. |
| Medicine | If you need medicine, your provider picks one that fits your health and other medicines, then adjusts the dose until you’re in range. |
| Follow-ups | Every few weeks while we adjust your medicine, then every few months, or once or twice a year once your blood pressure is controlled. Either clinic works. |
| Specialists | If your blood pressure stays high on several medicines, or a cause such as a kidney problem is suspected, we refer you to a heart or kidney specialist. |
High blood pressure often comes with diabetes or high cholesterol. We manage them together in one office. See all the chronic conditions we manage.
Is your blood pressure high only at the doctor’s office?
You’re not alone. Many people have higher readings at the doctor’s office because of nerves, often called white coat hypertension. Others have the opposite: normal readings in the office and high readings at home.
Home readings help assess your usual blood pressure; your clinician may also arrange ambulatory monitoring to distinguish white-coat or masked hypertension. Bring your monitor and your log to your visit, and your provider looks at your home readings along with the readings in the clinic before deciding on treatment.
Bring your medicine list and doses, recent results, home readings and your monitor. Do not stop or change blood pressure medicines on your own, even when readings improve.
How to check your blood pressure at home
- Use an automatic upper-arm cuff that has been validated and fits your arm. Wrist and finger monitors give less reliable readings.
- Don’t smoke, have caffeine or exercise for 30 minutes before you check, and empty your bladder.
- Put the cuff on your bare upper arm, not over clothes.
- Sit quietly for at least 5 minutes with your back straight and supported, feet flat and legs uncrossed. Don’t talk or use your phone.
- Rest your arm on a flat surface with the middle of the cuff at heart level.
- Take 2 readings, 1 minute apart, and write both down. Check at the same time every day.
- Bring your monitor and your log to your visit.
Source: American Heart Association, Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
Become a patient for blood pressure care
Apply online, and our team calls you within 1 to 2 business days. Your first visit is an annual physical at our Steele Creek clinic, where your provider reviews your history, medicines and readings. After that, follow-ups can be at either clinic, and you can seek prompt assessment during open hours for non-emergency uncontrolled readings. Follow the emergency guidance above for severe readings or symptoms.
Our primary care is for adults. We don’t manage long-term refills of controlled medicines.
Insurance
- Copay: your plan’s copay is due at the visit when applicable.
- Coinsurance: your share depends on your plan and services.
- Deductible: your plan may apply a deductible; further patient responsibility may be billed after claims processing.
Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and TRICARE East. We don’t take HMO plans tied to one doctor or hospital system.
Medicare: Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans.
Check with your insurance plan about your coverage. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Our clinics in Charlotte
| Clinic | What’s here |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | 2114 Freeman Park Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28273. (980) 880-5588. First visits (annual physicals), follow-ups, walk-ins. |
| Plaza Midwood | 2017 Central Ave, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28205. (704) 731-8656. Follow-ups and walk-ins. |
| Hours (both) | Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm |
Apply to be a patientCome in today
Sources
- American Heart Association: Understanding Blood Pressure Readings
- American Heart Association: When To Call 911 About High Blood Pressure
- American Heart Association: Home Blood Pressure Monitoring
- CDC: Heart Disease Risk Factors
- American Heart Association: Health Threats From High Blood Pressure
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Only a medical professional can confirm a high blood pressure diagnosis.
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