Why CVS HealthHUB?
- One place for blood pressure screening & counseling
- Prescription fills & refills at CVS Pharmacy®
- A professional care team that can offer support
- Wellness products & at-home monitoring devices
3 steps to getting high blood pressure support
Blood pressure evaluations and treatment plans at MinuteClinic®. Prescriptions and support from our pharmacy team. At-home monitors and other products to help keep you on track. It's all in one place: your neighborhood CVS® HealthHUB®.
3 steps to getting high blood pressure support
1. Visit MinuteClinic at a CVS HealthHUB location
Our MinuteClinic providers can measure and assess your blood pressure and help you understand what your numbers mean. If your diagnosis indicates high blood pressure, they can provide you with a personalized initial treatment plan. This service is only for patients 18 years or older.
How do I get an evaluation?
- Schedule an appointment or telehealth visit online
- When you arrive for your appointment, our provider will review your medical history, family history and lifestyle factors.
- Our provider will perform an exam and respective tests based on your individual needs.* These may include the following:
- Blood pressure check
- Body mass index (BMI) check
- Cholesterol test (via blood test)
- Kidney function check (via blood test)
- Our provider will discuss your results and provide recommendations to help you successfully manage your blood pressure. Please note: Some tests may not be conducted the same day as your visit.
- At the end of your visit, our provider will provide you with a summary, a receipt and educational material.
- The summary of your visit can be sent to your primary care provider with your permission.
Did you know?
30% of American adults have high blood pressure.*
Many are unaware, or the condition goes undertreated because there are often no symptoms.
How is my blood pressure measured?
Our MinuteClinic providers can measure and diagnose hypertension. Blood pressure readings measure numbers: systolic and diastolic.
- Systolic (top number) indicates the pressure your blood exerts against your artery walls during heartbeats.
- Diastolic (bottom number) indicates the pressure your blood is exerting against your artery walls while the heart is resting between beats.
Systolic blood pressure gradually rises in most people because large arteries become increasingly stiff, plaque builds up long term, and cardiac and vascular diseases increase with age. Both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure readings, if high, can be indications of risk factors towards a cardiovascular event.
How do I get my results?
Following your exam, our MinuteClinic provider will discuss your results, help you understand the key health indicators and provide recommendations to help you manage your blood pressure.
Blood pressure readings are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm).
| Category | Blood pressure reading | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | 120 over 80 millimeters | If you're in this category, keep up heart-healthy habits, such as following a balanced diet and regular physical activity. |
| Elevated | 120 to 129 over less than 80 millimeters | If you have this reading, you are at risk of developing hypertension and must take steps to control the condition. |
| Hypertension stage 1 | 130 to 139 over 80-89 millimeters | If you have this reading, you may have hypertension and may need to take steps to modify your diet and lifestyle. Get support from a medical professional and reassess your condition every 3 to 6 months. |
| Hypertension stage 2 | 140 over 90 millimeters or higher | If you have this reading, you should seek clinical support, because immediate changes in your lifestyle (including home monitoring of this condition) may be needed. Your condition should be assessed every month until a clinically advised blood pressure goal is met. |
| Hypertensive crisis | 180 over 120 millimeters | If you have this reading, wait 5 minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If the readings are still unusually high, seek immediate medical attention. It could be a hypertensive crisis. |
| Medical emergency | Higher than 180 over 120 millimeters | If this reading is combined with symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, back pain, numbness or weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, you must call 9-1-1. You may have possible organ damage. |
Blood pressure readings are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mm).
| Category | Normal |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure reading | 120 over 80 millimeters |
| Recommendation | If you're in this category, keep up heart-healthy habits, such as following a balanced diet and regular physical activity. |
| Category | Elevated |
| Blood pressure reading | 120 to 129 over less than 80 millimeters |
| Recommendation | If you have this reading, you are at risk of developing hypertension and must take steps to control the condition. |
| Category | Hypertension stage 1 |
| Blood pressure reading | 130 to 139 over 80-89 millimeters |
| Recommendation | If you have this reading, you may have hypertension and may need to take steps to modify your diet and lifestyle. Get support from a medical professional and reassess your condition every 3 to 6 months. |
| Category | Hypertension stage 2 |
| Blood pressure reading | 140 over 90 millimeters or higher |
| Recommendation | If you have this reading, you should seek clinical support, because immediate changes in your lifestyle (including home monitoring of this condition) may be needed. Your condition should be assessed every month until a clinically advised blood pressure goal is met. |
| Category | Hypertensive crisis |
| Blood pressure reading | 180 over 120 millimeters |
| Recommendation | If you have this reading, wait 5 minutes and then test your blood pressure again. If the readings are still unusually high, seek immediate medical attention. It could be a hypertensive crisis. |
| Category | Medical emergency |
| Blood pressure reading | Higher than 180 over 120 millimeters |
| Recommendation | If this reading is combined with symptoms, including shortness of breath, chest pain, back pain, numbness or weakness, change in vision or difficulty speaking, you must call 9-1-1. You may have possible organ damage. |
What do I do if I receive a hypertension diagnosis?
If you have a hypertension diagnosis, our MinuteClinic provider will provide you with a personalized initial treatment plan.
Your treatment plan may include lifestyle changes and, if required, prescription medication. He or she will help you understand the various treatments and the steps to help prevent high blood pressure and help to control hypertension.
If you receive a prescription from our MinuteClinic provider during your visit, you have the option of filling it and picking it up right at CVS Pharmacy. Our dedicated pharmacy team is here to help and can answer any questions you may have about your medication.
Fact: People with high blood pressure are at greater risk of heart attack, stroke, kidney failure and even death.*
Can I get ongoing treatment for my condition at MinuteClinic?
Yes. If a medication has been advised, you can seek ongoing treatment with our professional care team at MinuteClinic.* This may help if and/or when your medication or dosage needs to be updated or changed. This service is not available to pregnant women.
Please note: Testing, counseling and evaluations during treatment visits will vary from patient to patient, based on his or her respective needs. Upon evaluation, patients may be directed to another health care provider for further testing and evaluation.
2. Seek ongoing treatment
The steps for having high blood pressure or hypertension treatment are very similar to the steps taken for an evaluation. It begins with a visit to MinuteClinic.
- Schedule an appointment or telehealth visit online
- When you arrive for your appointment, our provider will review your medical history, family history and lifestyle factors.
- Our provider may conduct testing when clinically appropriate.*
- At the end of your visit, our provider will hand you a summary of your visit plus educational material and a receipt. A treatment plan, including helpful next steps, will also be included at the end of each treatment visit.
- With your permission, the summary of your visit and relevant lab results can be sent to your primary care provider.
3. Stay on track with at-home devices
Ask our MinuteClinic provider about home-monitoring options and products like blood pressure monitors and blood pressure cuffs. Our provider may recommend devices in addition to regular health care visits to help you stay on track. Home devices may be available for purchase in our store during your visit. Our professional care team can help you select one that may be right for you and your needs.
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*FOR SERVICES: Additional charges apply for these tests. Visit our Price List here.
*FOR MINUTECLINIC: MinuteClinic® employs physician assistants in select states. See here for details.
*FOR HEALTH SERVICES: Available in select stores. Services may vary. Prescriptions can be obtained at pharmacy of choice. Pharmacy services provided by CVS Pharmacy, Inc. Clinical services available at MinuteClinic®.
*FOR SERVICES: High blood pressure treatment is not available in Missouri.
*FOR BLOOD PRESSURE STATS AND INFORMATION: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. High Blood Pressure. Updated February 25, 2020. Available at https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/facts.htm Accessed June 26, 2020.