Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Primary Care in Astoria

Stay Heart-Healthy with Expert Monitoring at mediDental care in Astoria

High blood pressure (hypertension) and elevated cholesterol are two of the most common—and silent—threats to your health. Left unmanaged, they can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, and other serious conditions. At mediDental care, we offer routine blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring as part of our commitment to preventive care. Having your blood pressure checked regularly is crucial, as many people are unaware they have high blood pressure until it causes complications. Blood flow through your arteries is directly affected by your blood pressure, and abnormal pressure can damage arterial walls, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. As your provider of trusted primary care in Astoria, we make it easy to track your cardiovascular health, understand your blood pressure numbers—which are key indicators for health assessment and diagnosis—and take steps to improve them.

Whether you have a family history of heart disease or just want to stay ahead of risk, we’re here to help you live a longer, healthier life. Blood pressure readings also reflect the health of your arteries, helping to identify issues like atherosclerosis early.

Why Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Matter

Your cardiovascular system works silently around the clock. Blood pressure and cholesterol levels are measured during routine screenings to assess your risk for cardiovascular disease. Blood pressure is measured using two numbers, called systolic and diastolic pressure, which provide important information about your heart health. Monitoring these measured values regularly helps identify potential issues early—before they cause lasting damage.

What Is High Blood Pressure?

Also known as hypertension, high blood pressure occurs when the force of blood pushing against artery walls remains consistently too high. Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers: the first number is the systolic blood pressure, which measures the force of blood against artery walls when the heart contracts, and the second number is the diastolic pressure, which measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart is at rest between beats. Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).

• Normal: Systolic blood pressure less than 120 mm Hg (first number) and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg (second number)
• Elevated: Systolic blood pressure 120-129 mm Hg (first number) and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg (second number)
• Stage 1 Hypertension: Systolic blood pressure 130-139 mm Hg (first number) or diastolic pressure 80-89 mm Hg (second number)
• Stage 2 Hypertension: Systolic blood pressure 140 mm Hg or higher (first number) or diastolic pressure 90 mm Hg or higher (second number)

What Is High Cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy substance used to build cells, but too much can cause artery blockage. Cholesterol is measured through a blood test called a lipid profile, which provides your cholesterol numbers and helps assess your risk for heart disease.

• LDL (“bad”) cholesterol: LDL stands for low density lipoprotein. LDL cholesterol is the primary 'bad' cholesterol that should be under 100 mg/dL, as high levels contribute to plaque buildup in arteries and increase cardiovascular risk.
• HDL (“good”) cholesterol: HDL stands for high density lipoprotein. High-density lipoprotein is considered 'good' cholesterol because it helps remove excess cholesterol from the bloodstream. Higher than 40 mg/dL (men) or 50 mg/dL (women) is ideal.
• Total cholesterol: Ideal is under 200 mg/dL

Cholesterol screening is important for both adults and children, as early detection of abnormal cholesterol numbers can help prevent future cardiovascular disease.

Symptoms of High Blood Pressure or Cholesterol

Often, there are no symptoms until serious damage has occurred. That’s why routine screenings are so important, as they help detect issues early and prevent serious health problems associated with undiagnosed high blood pressure or cholesterol.

You May Experience:

• Headaches or dizziness (in some with very high BP)
• Chest pain or tightness
• Shortness of breath with exertion
• Fatigue or confusion
• Irregular heartbeats

Still, most people won’t feel anything—until it’s too late. Prevention starts with a simple check-up.

Who Should Be Screened and How Often?

Blood Pressure Monitoring:

• Ages 18–39: Every 3–5 years if BP is normal
• Ages 40+ or at risk: Annually or more often
• High BP or chronic conditions: Every visit or at-home monitoring

Cholesterol Monitoring:

• Men age 20+ and Women age 35+: Every 4–6 years if low risk
• At-risk individuals (family history, obesity, diabetes): More frequent testing

Step-by-Step Monitoring at mediDental care

1. Comprehensive Risk Assessment

• Review of personal and family history
• Blood pressure reading using accurate, automated cuffs
• Lifestyle factors including diet, activity, tobacco, and stress

2. In-Office Blood Pressure Checks

• Seated, relaxed, and performed in a quiet setting
• Multiple readings to ensure accuracy
• Explanation of your numbers and what they mean, including how systolic and diastolic readings are used to diagnose high blood pressure and determine if treatment is needed

High blood pressure can be effectively treated with lifestyle changes and/or medication.

3. Lab-Based Cholesterol Testing

• Lipid panel blood test: Measures LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides. Getting your cholesterol checked with a lipid profile is important for detecting high cholesterol early, as it often has no symptoms.
• Fasting may be recommended for most accurate results; you should avoid both food and drink (except water) before the test.

4. Personalized Management Plan

• Diet and exercise recommendations
• Smoking cessation and alcohol moderation
• Medication review and prescriptions (e.g., statins, ACE inhibitors): Medicines play a crucial role in managing high blood pressure and cholesterol by helping to control symptoms and reduce the risk of serious health complications.
• At-home blood pressure monitor guidance if needed

5. Regular Follow-Up

• Scheduled rechecks every 3–6 months or sooner
• Ongoing support to track progress and adjust plan

Lifestyle Changes That Support Healthy Numbers

We partner with you to make manageable, meaningful improvements, including making informed choices about foods and fat to support healthy cholesterol and blood pressure.

Nutrition:

• Choose more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Limit saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium
• Eat lean proteins and healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts)

Physical Activity:

• Aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
• Walking, swimming, biking, or fitness classes

Stress Management:

• Mindfulness, deep breathing, and sleep hygiene
• Counseling or mental health support when needed

Quit Smoking:

• Increases risk of heart disease and stroke
• We offer tools and support to help you quit for good

Understanding Your Risk Factors

Knowing your personal risk helps guide our care, especially since unmanaged high blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, chronic kidney disease, and vascular dementia.

Common Risk Factors:

• Family history of high BP or high cholesterol
• Age (over 40)
• Obesity or sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking or heavy alcohol use
• Poor diet
• Chronic conditions (diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid issues)

Why Choose mediDental care for Cardiovascular Monitoring in Astoria?

• Thorough, evidence-based screening protocols
• On-site blood pressure monitoring and lab access
  • Regular monitoring can help prevent serious complications such as heart attack and hypertensive crisis, which require immediate medical attention.
• Culturally competent team dedicated to your long-term health
• Personalized education and coaching on heart-healthy habits
• Convenient scheduling with same-day or next-day availability

Whether you need annual labs or help managing hypertension, we’re here to support your health goals.

Book Blood Pressure & Cholesterol Screening in Astoria Today

Don’t wait for symptoms to show up—take control of your heart health today. Schedule your blood pressure and cholesterol check with the caring team at mediDental care.

📍 Located in Astoria, Queens
📞 Call us or book your appointment online

Track your numbers. Protect your heart. Trust mediDental care—your home for primary care in Astoria.