About one in three adults in the United States suffers from high blood pressure, or hypertension. Blood rushing against arteries can damage your blood vessels and increase your risk of heart disease, strokes, kidney problems, and other serious illnesses. This occurs when the force of blood against the walls of your arteries is too high.
With proper medication, diet, exercise, and regular monitoring, high blood pressure can often be prevented or controlled. There are many factors that contribute to high blood pressure, such as age, genetics, lifestyle, stress, and underlying medical conditions.
There are many reasons why people with high blood pressure do not receive adequate care or follow-up from their primary care providers, including lack of access, affordability, convenience, and quality. As a result, health care costs increase, poor outcomes occur, complications arise, and complications occur.
In this case, Direct Primary Care (DPC) can help. This is a new model of primary care that allows patients to interact directly with their doctor without interference from insurance companies or other third parties.
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High blood pressure can be managed in several ways by DPC, including:
Doctors with DPC practices typically have fewer patients than primary care physicians, so they can devote more time and attention to your care. You can have longer and more frequent visits with your doctor, who can monitor your blood pressure, adjust your medication, and answer any questions or concerns you may have.
The DPC doctors are usually available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text, email, or video chat, making it easier to reach them at any time. You can also schedule same-day or next-day appointments, so you avoid long waits or crowded waiting rooms. Your blood pressure can be checked in your doctor's office, or you can use a blood pressure monitor at home and share the results with your doctor.
You can pay a flat monthly fee that covers most primary care services, such as visits, tests, procedures, and prescriptions, with DPC doctors. In addition to avoiding copays, deductibles, and other hidden fees, you can also see upfront the costs of your services, so you can compare them to other providers.
DPC doctors can work closely with other health care providers such as cardiologists, nephrologists, nutritionists, or physical therapists to coordinate and integrate your care. In addition to ensuring that you receive the best care possible, they coordinate your referrals, appointments, and records. You can also get discounted rates on labs, imaging, medications, and other services that aren't covered by your DPC fee from them.
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DPC can offer you a personalized and holistic approach to managing your high blood pressure, that takes into account your medical history, lifestyle, preferences, and goals. Your DPC doctor can help you:
You can learn more about your condition and your risk factors from your DPC doctor, including what high blood pressure is, how it affects your health, and what its causes and consequences are. As well as assessing your risk factors, they can help you identify areas for improvement, such as your family history, your weight, your diet, your level of activity, your level of stress, and your drinking habits.
Based on your condition, medical history, allergies, other medications, and side effects, your DPC doctor will prescribe you the most appropriate medication and dosage for your high blood pressure. The doctor can also educate you about how to take your medication correctly, and how to avoid interactions and complications. In addition to monitoring your response to the medication, they can adjust it if necessary.
A healthy diet and exercise routine can be designed by your DPC doctor according to your needs, preferences, and goals. In addition to advising you on what foods to eat and avoid, they can also tell you how much salt, sugar, fat, and calories to consume, and how to read nutrition labels. You can also ask for advice on what type, frequency, intensity, and duration of exercise is best for your condition, and how to keep track of your progress.
Your DPC doctor can help you cope with stress and emotions that can affect your blood pressure, including anxiety, anger, depression, and frustration. You can learn relaxation techniques, like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, or massage, that can help you lower your blood pressure and relax your mind. If you need more help, they can refer you to a therapist, counselor, or support group.
You can prevent or control high blood pressure, and reduce your risk of complications, with proper care and management.
With DPC, you will receive more time, attention, convenience, affordability, and coordination of care from your doctor, so that you can manage your high blood pressure better. Besides helping you understand your condition, choose the right medication, adopt a healthy diet and exercise routine, and manage stress and emotions, DPC can also help you personalize your high blood pressure management.
As the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin goes,
"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
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