“You are going to get the TLC you need from this team. It’s world-class care.”
[3 min read]
In this article:
- After a period of feeling run down and suspecting that she had a virus, Susan D. struggled with receiveing a diagnosis of complex hypertension.
- Although she was anxious about being referred for specialty care and the need for medication, Susan trusted the process — and her care team.
- Today, she's healthier and managing her high blood pressure with help from the caring experts at the Providence Swedish Hypertension Clinic. Learn more.
Susan D. (not her real name) is a busy young professional in her thirties with a demanding career and an active social life. She’s lively, outgoing and talkative, with a sharp sense of humor and an easy, contagious laugh.
Late last year, she was feeling run down and headachy. Figuring she might be on the verge of an illness, she made an appointment with her primary care doctor. Her blood pressure was concerningly high, at 180 over 110.
“I reported my headaches and generally not feeling great. I thought it might be jet lag because I’d traveled recently, so I started monitoring my blood pressure at home. And it was spiky and pretty high for someone my age," Susan affirms. "When I went back to my doctor, he referred me to the Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute at Cherry Hill.”
Susan met with cardiologist Tiong-Keat Yeoh, M.D., whom she calls “one of the most pleasant specialists she’d ever met.”
“Dr. Yeoh never made me feel anxious or rushed. My visit with him was the first step for me in trusting the process,” she says. “He’s the kindest person ever and because of him I was willing to go to the Providence Swedish Hypertension Clinic.”
The first of its kind in the region, the clinic treats patients with uncontrolled or complex hypertension and is committed to expanding hypertension management to communities with limited access to specialty care.
Figuring out what was causing Susan's high blood pressure was something of a journey that included an endocrinology profile in addition to her cardiology workup.
“Initially, I felt lost as a patient [because I didn’t know] what was going on with me," Susan says with a sigh. "The process was really daunting, but [the clinic’s] staff kept reaching out to me. They didn’t give up. I felt really cared for and somebody finally said, ‘You have to meet Zheryl.’”
Meeting with the clinic staff, including program director Zheryl Sounthala, D.N.P., and specialized pharmacist Brilliana Liao, Pharm.D., unequivocally allayed Angela’s fears.
She says that Sounthala’s natural ability to let her feel heard along with Liao’s expertise and concern were the last pieces of the puzzle for her.
“I really felt that they’d do everything in their power to see that I would get better and every time I got stuck, they unstuck me,” says Susan. “We are still figuring things out. I know it will take time, but I want other patients to know that you are going to get the TLC you need from this team. It’s world-class care.”
Learn more and find a physician or advanced practice clinician (APC)
The team of specialists at the Providence Swedish Heart & Vascular Institute has access to the latest treatments and technology and the expertise to know how to use it safely and effectively. Call 206-320-4100 to learn more about the vascular care we offer.
To learn more about the Providence Swedish Hypertension Clinic or schedule an appointment, speak with your physician. You can call the clinic at 206-215-4545.
Whether you require an in-person visit or want to consult a doctor virtually, you have options. Contact Swedish Primary Care to schedule an appointment with a primary care physician. You can also connect virtually with your doctor to review your symptoms, provide instruction and follow up as needed. And with Swedish ExpressCare Virtual, you can receive treatment in minutes for common conditions such as colds, flu, urinary tract infections and more. You can use our provider directory to find a specialist or primary care physician near you.
Information for patients and visitors
Additional resources
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This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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