Your Health Matters with Dr. Bradley Biggers and Dr. Russell Gregory

April 2026 - Anxiety: When Is It More Than “Just Stress”?

I’m Dr. Russell Gregory, a Board-Certified Family Medicine Physician at the Bradley County Medical Center Rural Health Clinic in Warren. I'm a recent graduate of the UAMS Southwest Family Medicine Residency Program in Texarkana, Arkansas.

A couple weeks ago, Dr. Bradley Biggers opened our Community Health Column with an important discussion about high blood pressure and why it matters. This week, I’d like to continue the conversation by turning to another common but often overlooked health concern: Anxiety.

We all experience stress. Stress is a normal response to life’s pressures—work, finances, family problems, health concerns, or major life changes. Usually, stress is tied to a specific situation and improves when that situation improves. Anxiety is different. Anxiety can linger even when there is no clear danger, feel excessive, be hard to control, and begin to affect your sleep, concentration, energy, and day-to-day life.

What does anxiety feel like?
Anxiety is not just “worrying too much.” It can show up in both the mind and the body. People may notice:
Constant worry
Feeling restless, tense, or on edge
Irritability
Trouble concentrating
Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
Fatigue
Headaches, muscle tension, nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath
That is one reason anxiety gets overlooked. Many people think they are simply tired, overworked, or dealing with “just stress,” when in reality anxiety is affecting how they feel physically and emotionally.

When is it more than “just stress”?
It may be time to talk with your doctor if:
The worry feels out of proportion to the situation
You cannot seem to turn it off
It is affecting your sleep, work, school, relationships, or daily routine
You are starting to avoid places, responsibilities, or situations because of fear
The symptoms keep happening even after life has settled down
The worry is hanging around most days for months, not just a bad week or two.

What can help?
The good news is that anxiety is treatable. Treatment may include counseling, therapy, medication, or a combination of these. Many people also improve with better sleep, regular physical activity, limiting caffeine, reducing alcohol, and learning healthier ways to manage stress before it builds up.

Many people wait too long to ask for help because they think they should just push through it. But anxiety is not weakness, and it is not something you have to white-knuckle your way through. Getting help early can make a real difference!

Here at BCMC Rural Health Clinic, we also have an on-site Behavioral Health Provider, Tiffany Wargo, APRN, who is available to help patients who may be struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, and other mental health concerns.

When should you reach out right away?
Talk to your doctor if anxiety is becoming frequent, hard to control, or interfering with daily life. Seek urgent help right away if you are in emotional crisis or having thoughts of self-harm. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by call or text, and it is free and confidential.

Bottom line:
Stress is part of life. Anxiety can be too. But when worry becomes constant, overwhelming, or starts interfering with your ability to live your life, it may be time to seek help.

If you have questions, come see us at 304 E Central in Warren, AR. You can call (870) 226-8636 for an appointment. Walk-ins are always welcome.

BCMC Rural Health Clinic: Where Healthcare Close to Home Matters
— Dr. Gregory

April 2026 - The Silent Killer: Understanding High Blood Pressure and Why It Matters

Welcome! I’m Dr. Bradley Biggers. My colleague, Dr. Russell Gregory, and I are starting a recurring health column to help answer common health questions and improve the health of our community. If you have topics you’d like to discuss, please message us on the BCMC Facebook page. We look forward to bringing you clear, up-to-date, and practical health information. Let’s get started!

High blood pressure—also called hypertension—is often known as the “silent killer.” Why? Because most people feel completely normal, even when their numbers are too high. You can go years without symptoms while it quietly damages your heart, brain, and kidneys.

What is a normal blood pressure?
Here are the numbers you should know:
● Normal: less than 120/80
● Elevated: top number 120–129 and bottom number less than 80
● High blood pressure: 130/80 or higher (on a regular basis)

Why should you care?
High blood pressure is one of the leading causes of:
● Heart attacks
● Strokes
● Kidney failure
● Heart failure
● Memory problems later in life

The scary part is—you may feel fine until something serious happens. Both numbers in your blood pressure matter, and even small increases can raise your risk.

Who is at risk?
Anyone can develop high blood pressure, especially as we age. Your risk is higher if you:
● Are overweight
● Eat a lot of salty or processed foods
● Don’t get much physical activity
● Smoke or use tobacco
● Drink alcohol regularly
● Have a family history of high blood pressure
● Have too many kids (this is a joke I just added for myself)

What can you do about it?
The good news: high blood pressure is treatable—but you have to know your numbers.

Check your blood pressure at home, at the pharmacy, or at your doctor’s office. Write it down. If you’re not checking it, you’re flying blind.

These simple steps can lower your blood pressure by 5–8 points or more:
● Cut back on salt
Most salt comes from packaged and restaurant foods—not the saltshaker. Cook more at home and read labels when you shop. Trade canned goods for frozen items instead
● Move your body
Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. A 30-minute walk most days is a great place to start.
● Lose weight if needed
Even losing 5–10 pounds can make a difference. Every 2 pounds lost can lower blood pressure by about 1 point.
● Eat a heart-healthy diet
Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. The DASH diet is a proven way to lower blood pressure.
● Limit alcohol
No more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 for men. Less is even better.

Do you need medication?
Many people do—and that’s okay. High blood pressure often runs in families, and lifestyle changes alone aren’t always enough.

If you’re prescribed medication, take it every day—even when you feel fine. Remember: it only works if you take it.

When should you worry?
● If your blood pressure is consistently 130/80 or higher, talk to your doctor.
● If you ever see 180/120 or higher, this is an emergency—seek care immediately.

Bottom line
High blood pressure doesn’t have to lead to serious problems—but only if you take it seriously.

Check it. Track it. Treat it.

If you have questions, come see us at 304 E Central in Warren. Call (870) 226-8636 for an appointment—walk-ins are always welcome.

Let’s learn and grow together.

BCMC Rural Health Clinic: Where Healthcare Close to Home Matters

—Dr. B