Hypertension

Did you know hypertension (high blood pressure) is the second-most common cause of chronic kidney disease and kidney failure? Expert nephrologist Deon Middlebrook, MD, and his urgent care team in Detroit, Michigan, have extensive experience helping patients prevent hypertension when possible and providing exceptional care to lower their blood pressure and protect their kidneys with diet, lifestyle management, and medical intervention. Seek help for hypertension — early treatment can prevent kidney disease. Call Detroit Sherwood Urgent Care today or use online booking to request an appointment. Walk-ins are also available.

What is hypertension?

When blood pressure rises above the healthy range, this is referred to as hypertension. Though anyone can develop hypertension, the condition is more common among African-Americans, affecting 55% of Black adults. 

The Black community also has disproportionately high rates of more severe high blood pressure, and they tend to develop the chronic disease earlier in life than white adults.

Does high blood pressure cause serious health problems?

High blood pressure (hypertension) damages the artery wall and causes plaque. As plaque enlarges, the artery narrows, hardens, and restricts blood flow (atherosclerosis), most often causing:

• Coronary artery disease (affects your heart)
• Carotid artery disease (affects your brain)
• Renal artery stenosis (affects your kidneys)
• Peripheral artery disease (affects your legs)

These conditions often don’t cause symptoms until the artery becomes substantially blocked. Unfortunately, the first sign for most people is a heart attack or stroke.

Are kidney disease and hypertension connected?

Kidney disease alone causes hypertension. High blood pressure also causes kidney disease by damaging the blood vessels your kidneys need to function. The kidneys regulate blood pressure by controlling the amount of water and sodium.

Kidney damage prevents the organs from influencing blood pressure, allowing it to rise even higher, creating a progressive spiral of hypertension and kidney damage.

At Detroit Sherwood Urgent Care, the team recognizes how kidney disease and kidney failure affect the body, including cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure. They help patients manage hypertension through individualized care, including customized lifestyle recommendations and medications.

How is hypertension treated in urgent care?

The goal is to restore blood pressure in a controlled way so it does not drop too quickly. Proper correction of blood pressure can prevent or reverse end-organ damage, so treatment as soon as possible is critical.

Physicians and other health care professionals at Detroit Sherwood Urgent Care often use an EKG (electrocardiogram) to check for signs of a previous heart attack (undetected). They may order and interpret necessary clinical labs and refer patients to specialists or emergency rooms (when appropriate).

The team can also administer medications to correct a hypertensive emergency. If you or someone else is experiencing a hypertensive emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. 

Call Detroit Sherwood Urgent Care or use online booking today to request a hypertension screening and management appointment. Walk-ins are welcome.