Blood Pressure

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Do you live with high blood pressure? We can help.

Free Blood Pressure Checks

We offer FREE blood pressure checks on Mondays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

for Stamford residents- no insurance required. Call (203) 977-5385 to make an appointment.

 

Clinic Location

Stamford Department of Health and Human Services Clinic

137 Henry Street
Stamford, CT 06902

 Free parking in the rear of the building at 34 Woodland Ave. 

 

Free Services to Help You Lower Your Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure, we connect you with community resources and offer FREE services that teach you how to lower your blood pressure.

 

Free services include:

  1. Blood pressure checks
  2. A step-by-step guide for checking your blood pressure at home (we an also help you get an automatic blood pressure measuring device)
  3. Advice and support for lowering high blood pressure

Community Resources 

  1. Referrals to local health centers to establish care with a primary care provider
  2. Information on local free registered dietitian services
  3. Information on free- to low-cost exercise classes available online or in-person 

 

What You Need to Know About High Blood Pressure

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, means your blood pressure is higher than normal. Your blood pressure levels may change throughout the day based on your activities, but blood pressure that stays high could put you at risk for things like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

What causes high blood pressure?

Not getting enough exercise and eating salty, fatty, and processed foods can lead to high blood pressure. If you have diabetes or are obese, you may be more likely to have high blood pressure.

What are the health risks?

When you have high blood pressure, your body has a harder time pumping blood and oxygen to your heart, brain, and kidneys. This makes it harder for your organs to work. Managing your blood pressure lowers your risk for health conditions that could affect your heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes.

Can I prevent or lower my blood pressure?

High blood pressure, or hypertension, means your blood pressure is higher than normal. Your blood pressure levels may change throughout the day based on your activities, but blood pressure that stays high could put you at risk for things like heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Yes! Here are some changes you can make to lower your blood pressure:

 Exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. Don't smoke. Eat less salt and more fruit and vegetables. Manage your stress. Drink less alcohol - 1 glass for women, 2 glasses for men.

 

Also, your doctor may give you medicine to help lower your blood pressure. Even if medicine is prescribed, you should continue doing all the above to help lower your blood pressure.

Why should I have my blood pressure checked?

The earlier you know your blood pressure numbers and start making changes to lower your blood pressure, the greater chance you have at avoiding serious health conditions.

What does a blood pressure check measure?

A blood pressure check measures two numbers. The top number is your systolic blood pressure (the pressure from your heart pumping blood when it beats) and the bottom number is your diastolic blood pressure (the pressure when your heart is resting between beats).

Here are the blood pressure categories, according to the American Heart Association:

Blood Pressure Category   Systolic (Upper Number)  and/or  Diastolic (Lower Number)
 Normal  Less than 120 and   Less than 80
 Elevated  120-129  and  Less than 80
 High Blood Pressure: Stage 1  130-139  or  80-89
 High Blood Pressure: Stage 2  140 or higher  or  90 or higher
 Hypertensive Crisis (talk to your doctor immediately)  Higher than 180  and/or  Higher than 120

 

 

Categories of Blood Pressure:

Normal: Your numbers are within the normal range. Continue following heart-healthy lifestyle choices.

Elevated: You may be at risk of developing high blood pressure and should make changes to lower your blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Stage 1: Talk with your doctor about lifestyle changes and possibly taking medicine to lower your blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure Stage 2: Your doctor will likely give you medicine to lower your blood pressure. You should also continue following the steps to lower your blood pressure.

Hypertensive Crisis: This stage requires medical attention. If your blood pressure numbers are higher than 180/120 mm HG, wait five minutes and check again. If your numbers are still high, or you are experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, back pain, vision changes, or difficultly speaking- DON’T WAIT. CALL 9-1-1.

 

Links to Additional Information

  1. Click here to learn more about high blood pressure from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
  2.  Click here for more information about high blood pressure from the American Heart Association.

 

Page last reviewed:3/18/24