High blood pressure (hypertension)

Description

High blood pressure is a common condition that affects the arteries of your body. It is also called hypertension. If you have high blood pressure, the force exerted by blood against the walls of the arteries is considerably high. The heart has to work harder to pump blood.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). In general, hypertension is a blood pressure reading of 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher.

The American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association to split the blood pressure in four general categories. Ideal blood pressure is categorized as normal.

  • The Normal blood pressure. The blood pressure is less than 120/80 mm Hg .
  • High blood pressure. The top number of the ranges of 120 to 129 mm Hg and the bottom number is the bottom, not the top, of 80 mm Hg .
  • Stage 1 hypertension. The top number of the ranges of 130 to 139 mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg .
  • Stage 2 of hypertension. The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or more.

Blood pressure higher than 180/120 mm Hg is considered a hypertensive emergency or crisis. Seek emergency medical help for anyone with these numbers blood pressure.

Without treatment, high blood pressure increases the risk of heart attack, stroke and other serious health problems. It is important to have your blood pressure checked at least every two years starting at the age of 18 years. Some people need more frequent checks.

Healthy lifestyle habits —such as not smoking, exercising and eating well can help prevent and treat high blood pressure. Some people need medications to treat high blood pressure.

Symptoms

Most people with high blood pressure do not have symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. You may have high blood pressure for years without symptoms.

A couple of people with high blood pressure may have:

  • Headaches
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nosebleeds

However, these symptoms are not specific. Usually do not occur until high blood pressure has reached a severe or life-threatening stage.

When to see a doctor

Blood pressure screening is an important part of general health care. How often you should check the blood pressure depends on your age and general health.

Ask your healthcare provider for a blood pressure reading at least every two years starting at the age of 18 years. If you have 40 or more years, or you are 18 to 39 years with a high risk of high blood pressure, ask for a blood pressure check every year.

Your doctor will likely recommend more frequent readings if you have high blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease.

Children from 3 years of age and older can have your blood pressure measured as part of their annual check-ups.

If you do not regularly see a care provider, you may be able to obtain a free blood pressure screening at a health resource fair or other locations in your community. Free blood pressure machines are also available in some grocery stores and pharmacies. The accuracy of these machines depends on several things, such as a correct cuff size and proper use of the machines. Ask your health care provider for advice on using public blood pressure machines.

Causes

Blood pressure is determined by two things: the amount of blood pumped by the heart, and how difficult it is to which the blood moves through the arteries. The more blood your heart pumps and the narrower your arteries, the higher the blood pressure.

There are two main types of high blood pressure.

Primary hypertension is also called essential hypertension

For most adults, there is an identifiable cause of high blood pressure. This type of high blood pressure is called primary hypertension or essential hypertension. It tends to develop gradually over many years. The buildup of plaque in the arteries, called atherosclerosis, increases the risk of high blood pressure.

Secondary hypertension

This type of high blood pressure is caused by an underlying condition. It tends to appear suddenly and cause higher blood pressure than that of the primary hypertension. Conditions and medications can lead to secondary hypertension include:

  • Tumors of the adrenal gland
  • Problems of the blood vessels present at birth, also called congenital heart defects
  • Cough and cold medicines, certain pain relievers, birth control pills and other prescription drugs
  • Illegal drugs, such as cocaine and amphetamines
  • Kidney disease
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Thyroid problems

Sometimes you just get a check of the health of the causes of the blood pressure to increase. This is called white-coat hypertension.

Risk factors

High blood pressure has many risk factors, including:

  • Age. The risk of high blood pressure increases with age. Until around the age of 64, the high blood pressure is more common in men. Women are more likely to develop high blood pressure after age 65.
  • Of the race. High blood pressure is particularly common among Blacks. It develops at an early age in Blacks than in whites.
  • The history of the family. You are more likely to develop high blood pressure if you have a father or brother with the disease.
  • Obesity or being overweight. The excess weight causes changes in the blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body. Often, these changes increase the blood pressure. Being overweight or having obesity also increases the risk of heart disease and its risk factors, like high cholesterol.
  • The lack of exercise. Not exercising can cause you to gain weight. Weight gain increases the risk of high blood pressure. People who are inactive tend to have higher heart rates.
  • The consumption of tobacco or vaping. Smoking, chewing tobacco or vaping immediately raises the blood pressure for a short time. Tobacco smoking injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, talk with your health care strategies to help you stop smoking.
  • The excess of salt. A large amount of salt (also called sodium in the body can cause the body to retain fluid. This increases the blood pressure.
  • Low levels of potassium. Potassium helps balance the amount of salt in the cells of the body. A proper balance of potassium is important for good heart health. Low levels of potassium may be due to a lack of potassium in the diet or in certain health conditions, including dehydration.
  • Drinking too much alcohol. The use of Alcohol has been linked to the increase in blood pressure, especially in men.
  • Stress. High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress-related habits, such as eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol can lead to increases in blood pressure.
  • Certain chronic conditions. Kidney disease, diabetes and sleep apnea are some of the conditions that can lead to high blood pressure.
  • Pregnancy. Sometimes pregnancy cause high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is more common in adults. But children can have high blood pressure also. High blood pressure in children can be caused by problems with the kidneys or the heart. But for a growing number of children, high blood pressure, is due to lifestyle habits such as unhealthy diet and lack of exercise.

Complications

The excessive pressure on your artery walls caused by high blood pressure can damage your blood vessels and organs of the body. The higher the blood pressure and the more uncontrolled, the greater the damage.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to complications, such as:

  • Heart attack or a stroke. The hardening and thickening of the arteries due to high blood pressure, or other factors that can lead to a heart attack, stroke or other complications.
  • Aneurysm. The increase in blood pressure can cause blood vessels to weaken and bulge, forming an aneurysm. If an aneurysm ruptures, it can be deadly.
  • Heart failure. When you have high blood pressure, the heart has to work harder to pump blood. The tension causes the walls of the pumping chamber of the heart to thicken. This condition is called left ventricular hypertrophy. Finally, the heart can't pump enough blood to meet the needs of the body, causing heart failure.
  • Kidney problems. High blood pressure can cause blood vessels in the kidneys to be narrow or weak. This can lead to kidney damage.
  • Eye problems. The increase in blood pressure can cause thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes. This can result in the loss of vision.
  • The metabolic syndrome. This syndrome is a group of disorders of the metabolism of the body. Involves the irregularity of the decomposition of sugar, also called glucose. The syndrome includes increased waist size, high level of triglycerides, decreased high-density lipoprotein (HDL or "good" cholesterol), high blood pressure and high blood sugar levels. These conditions make it more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
  • Changes with memory or understanding. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can affect the ability to think, remember and learn.
  • Dementia. The narrowing or blockage of the arteries can limit blood flow to the brain. This can cause a certain type of dementia called vascular dementia. A stroke which cuts off the blood flow to the brain, can also cause vascular dementia.

High blood pressure (hypertension)

Diagnosis

To diagnose high blood pressure, your doctor will examine you and ask questions about your medical history and symptoms. Your doctor listens to your heart through a device called a stethoscope.

Your blood pressure is controlled by a sleeve, is usually placed around your upper arm. It is important that the cuff is adjusted. If it is too large or too small, blood pressure readings can vary. The cuff is inflated by means of a small pump of hand or in a machine.

The first time your blood pressure is controlled, must be measured in both arms to see if there is a difference. After that, the arm with the higher reading should be used.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). A blood pressure reading has two numbers.

  • The top number, called systolic pressure. The first, or upper, number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats.
  • The bottom number, called diastolic pressure. The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats.

High blood pressure (hypertension) is diagnosed if the blood pressure reading is equal to or greater than 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm of Hg). A diagnosis of high blood pressure is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken at different times.

The blood pressure was grouped according to how high up it is. This is called staging. Staging helps guide treatment.

  • Stage 1 hypertension. The top number is between 130 and 139 mm Hg, or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg .
  • Stage 2 of hypertension. The top number is 140 mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or more.

Sometimes the bottom reading of the blood pressure is normal (less than 80 mm Hg ), but the top number is high. This is called isolated systolic hypertension. It is a common type of hypertension in people older than 65 years.

Tests

If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor may recommend tests to check for the cause.

  • Ambulatory monitoring. A greater control of the blood pressure test may be done to monitor your blood pressure at regular intervals for six or 24 hours. This is called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. However, the devices used for the test are not available in all medical centers. Check with your insurance company to see if the ambulatory monitoring of blood pressure is a covered service.
  • The laboratory tests. Blood and urine tests are done to check if there are conditions that can cause or worsen high blood pressure. For example, tests are done to check the level of cholesterol and sugar levels in the blood. You may also have lab tests to check your kidney, liver, and thyroid function.
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This quick and painless test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. You can tell how fast or slow the heart is beating. During an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensors called electrodes are attached to the chest and, at times, the arms or the legs. Connect the cables from the sensors to a machine that prints or displays the results.
  • The echocardiogram. This noninvasive test that uses sound waves to create detailed images of the beating heart. It is shown how the blood moves through the heart and the heart valves.

Take your blood pressure at home

Your doctor may ask you to check your blood pressure regularly at home. Surveillance of the house is a good way to keep track of your blood pressure. Help your care providers know if your medication is working, or if your condition is getting worse.

Home blood pressure monitors are available at the local stores, and pharmacies.

For the more reliable measurement of blood pressure, the American Heart Association recommends the use of a monitor with a cuff that goes around the upper part of your arm, when available.

Devices that measure blood pressure in the wrist or finger are not recommended by the American Heart Association because they can provide less reliable results.

Treatment

Change your life style can help to control and manage high blood pressure. Your health care provider may recommend that you make lifestyle changes, including:

  • Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt
  • Regular physical activity
  • Maintain a healthy weight or lose weight
  • Limit the consumption of alcohol
  • No smoking
  • Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily

Sometimes lifestyle changes are not sufficient to treat high blood pressure. If that does not help, your healthcare provider may recommend medication to lower your blood pressure.

Drugs

The type of medication used for the treatment of hypertension depends on your general state of health and level of blood pressure is. Two or more blood pressure drugs often work better than one. It may take some time to find the medication or combination of medications that works best for you.

When you take medicines for high blood pressure, it is important to know your target blood pressure level. You should aim for blood pressure treatment goal of less than 130/80 mm Hg if:

  • You are a healthy adult 65 years of age or older
  • You're healthy adults under 65 years of age with a 10% or greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease in the next 10 years
  • You have chronic kidney disease, diabetes or coronary artery disease

The ideal blood pressure goal may vary with age and health conditions, especially if you are older than 65 years of age.

Medications used to treat high blood pressure include:

  • Water pills (diuretics).These drugs help to remove sodium and water from the body. They are often the first drugs used to treat high blood pressure. There are different kinds of thiazide diuretics, including, loop, and potassium-sparing. Your doctor may recommend depending on your measurements of blood pressure and other health conditions, such as kidney disease or heart failure. Diuretics commonly used to treat blood pressure include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and others. A common side effect of diuretics is the increase of urination. Urinate a lot can reduce potassium levels. A good balance of potassium is needed to help the heart to beat properly. If you have low potassium levels (hypokalemia), your doctor may recommend a potassium-sparing diuretic that contains triamterene.
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs help relax the blood vessels. They block the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. Examples include lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), benazepril (Lotensin), captopril, and others.
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (arbs). These drugs also relax the blood vessels. They block the action, not the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. angiotensin II receptor blockers (arbs include candesartan (Atacand), losartan (Cozaar), and others.
  • Calcium channel blockers.These drugs help relax the muscles of the blood vessels. Some slow the rhythm of your heart. They include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others), and others. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and the Black people who do angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors alone. Do not eat or drink grapefruit products while taking calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit increases the blood levels of certain calcium channel blockers, which can be dangerous. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about the interactions.

Water pills (diuretics). These drugs help to remove sodium and water from the body. They are often the first drugs used to treat high blood pressure.

There are different kinds of thiazide diuretics, including, loop, and potassium-sparing. Your doctor may recommend depending on your measurements of blood pressure and other health conditions, such as kidney disease or heart failure. Diuretics commonly used to treat blood pressure include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), and others.

A common side effect of diuretics is the increase of urination. Urinate a lot can reduce potassium levels. A good balance of potassium is needed to help the heart to beat properly. If you have low potassium levels (hypokalemia), your doctor may recommend a potassium-sparing diuretic that contains triamterene.

Calcium channel blockers. These drugs help relax the muscles of the blood vessels. Some slow the rhythm of your heart. They include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac, others), and others. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and the Black people who do angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors alone.

Do not eat or drink grapefruit products while taking calcium channel blockers. Grapefruit increases the blood levels of certain calcium channel blockers, which can be dangerous. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you are concerned about the interactions.

Other medications that are sometimes used to treat high blood pressure

If you are having problems getting to your goal of blood pressure with the combination of medication, your doctor may prescribe:

  • Alpha blockers. These drugs reduce the signals from the nerves to the blood vessels. To help reduce the effects of natural chemicals that narrows the blood vessels. Alpha blockers include doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), and others.
  • Alpha-beta blockers. Alpha-beta blockers block the signals of the nerves, blood vessels and slow the heart rate. Reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the blood vessels. Alpha-beta blockers include carvedilol (Coreg), and labetalol (Trandate).
  • Beta-blockers.These medications reduce the workload of the heart and dilate the blood vessels. This helps the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. Beta-blockers include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Kapspargo sprinkle), and others. Beta-blockers in general are not recommended as the only medication prescribed. They may work best when combined with other drugs to treat high blood pressure.
  • The aldosterone antagonists. These medications may be used to treat resistant hypertension. Block the effect of a natural chemical which can lead to the salt and the accumulation of fluid in the body. Examples include spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra).
  • Renin inhibitors.Aliskiren (Tekturna) decreases the production of renin, an enzyme produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure. Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you should not take aliskiren withACEinhibitors orARBs.
  • Vasodilators. These drugs prevent the muscles in the walls of the arteries to constrict. This prevents the arteries from narrowing. Examples include hydralazine and minoxidil.
  • Central action of the agents. These medicines prevent the brain to say that the nervous system to increase heart rate and constrict the blood vessels. Examples include clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay), guanfacine (Intuniv), and methyldopa.

Beta-blockers. These medications reduce the workload of the heart and dilate the blood vessels. This helps the heart to beat more slowly and with less force. Beta-blockers include atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Kapspargo sprinkle), and others.

Beta-blockers in general are not recommended as the only medication prescribed. They may work best when combined with other drugs to treat high blood pressure.

Renin inhibitors. Aliskiren (Tekturna) decreases the production of renin, an enzyme produced by your kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure.

Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you should not take aliskiren with ACE inhibitors or arbs .

Always take your blood pressure medicines as prescribed. Never skip a dose or abruptly stop taking blood pressure medications. Suddenly deter some, such as beta blockers, can cause an acute increase in blood pressure called rebound hypertension.

If you skip doses because of cost, side effects, or forgetfulness, talk with your health care provider about the solutions. Do not change your treatment without your provider's guide.

The treatment of resistant hypertension

You may have resistant hypertension if:

  • At least three different blood pressure drugs, including a diuretic. But your blood pressure remains stubbornly high.
  • You are taking four different types of medications to control high blood pressure. Your healthcare provider should check for a possible second cause of high blood pressure.

Have resistant hypertension, it does not mean that your blood pressure will never be lower. If you and your provider can determine the cause, a more effective treatment plan can be created.

The treatment of resistant hypertension may involve many steps, including:

  • The change of blood pressure medicines to find the best combination and dose.
  • The review of all your medicines, including those bought without a prescription.
  • Checking blood pressure at home to see if the medical appointments cause high blood pressure. This is called white-coat hypertension.
  • Eat healthy, control your weight and make other recommended lifestyle changes.

High blood pressure during pregnancy

If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, talk with your health care provider how to control blood pressure during pregnancy.

Potential future treatments

Researchers have been studying the use of heat to destroy the specific nerves in the kidney may play a role in resistant hypertension. The method is called denervation of the kidney. The first studies showed some benefit. But more robust studies found that it did not significantly lower blood pressure in people with resistant hypertension. More research is ongoing to determine what role, if any, this therapy can have in the treatment of hypertension.

Self-care

A commitment to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent and control high blood pressure. Try these heart-healthy strategies:

  • Eat healthy foods. Eat a healthy diet. Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy products. Get plenty of potassium from natural sources, which can help lower blood pressure. Eat less saturated fats and trans fats.
  • Use less salt. Processed meats, canned foods, soups commercial, frozen dinners, and certain breads can be hidden sources of salt. Check food labels for sodium content. Limit foods and drinks that are high in sodium. A sodium intake of 1,500 mg per day or less is considered ideal for most adults. But ask your doctor what is best for you.
  • Limit the consumption of alcohol. Even if you're healthy, alcohol can raise your blood pressure. If you choose to drink alcohol, do so in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof liquor.
  • Do not smoke. Tobacco injures blood vessel walls and speeds up the process of hardening of the arteries. If you smoke, talk with your health care strategies to help you stop smoking.
  • Maintain a healthy weight. If you are overweight or have obesity, losing weight can help control blood pressure and decrease the risk of complications. Ask your health care provider what is the ideal weight for you. In general, the blood pressure decreases by about 1 mm Hg with every 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram) of weight lost. In people with high blood pressure, the fall in blood pressure can be even more significant per kilogram of weight lost.
  • To do more exercise.Regular exercise keeps the body healthy. It can lower your blood pressure, relieve stress, control weight and reduce the risk of chronic health problems. Aim to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of aerobic activity, vigorous, or a combination of the two. If you have high blood pressure, consisting of moderate to high-intensity workouts can lower your top blood pressure reading above 11 mm Hgand the number down by about 5 mm Hg.
  • Practice good sleep habits. Lack of sleep can increase the risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions. Adults should aim to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily. Children often need more. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, including weekends. If you have trouble sleeping, talk with your provider about strategies that might help.
  • Manage stress. Find ways to help reduce emotional stress. Do more exercise, the practice of mindfulness and connecting with others in support groups are some of the ways to reduce stress.
  • Try slow, deep breathing. The practice of taking deep, slow breaths to help you relax. Some research shows that the slow pace of the breath (5 to 7 deep breaths per minute), combined with the techniques of mindfulness can reduce blood pressure. There are devices available to promote slow, deep breathing. According to the American Heart Association, the device guided breathing can be a reasonable nondrug option to reduce the blood pressure. It may be a good option if you have anxiety with high blood pressure, or are unable to tolerate standard treatments.

To do more exercise. Regular exercise keeps the body healthy. It can lower your blood pressure, relieve stress, control weight and reduce the risk of chronic health problems. Aim to get at least 150 minutes per week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of aerobic activity, vigorous, or a combination of the two.

If you have high blood pressure, consisting of moderate to high-intensity workouts can lower your top blood pressure reading by about 11 mm Hg and the bottom number by about 5 mm Hg .

Alternative medicine

Diet and exercise are the best ways to reduce the blood pressure. But some supplements are promoted as healthy for the heart. These supplements include:

  • Fiber such as psyllium and wheat bran
  • Minerals, such as magnesium, calcium and potassium
  • Folic acid
  • Supplements or products that increase the nitric oxide or widen the blood vessels called vasodilators — such as cocoa, coenzyme Q10, L-arginine and garlic
  • Omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish, high-dose supplements of fish oil and linseed

The researchers are also studying whether vitamin D can reduce your blood pressure, but the evidence is contradictory. More research is needed.

Talk with your health care provider before adding any supplement to your blood pressure with treatment. Some may interact with medications, causing harmful side effects that could be life-threatening.

Deep breathing or mindfulness are the alternative medicine techniques that can help you to relax. These practices may temporarily reduce blood pressure.

Coping and support

High blood pressure is not something that can be treated and then ignore. It is a condition that requires regular health checkups. Some things you can do to help control the disease are:

  • Take medications as directed. If the side effects or cost problems, ask your doctor about other options. Do not stop taking your medications without first talking to a health care provider.
  • The regular health checkups. It takes a team effort to treat the high blood pressure with success. Work with your doctor to bring your blood pressure down to a safe level and keep it there. Know your target blood pressure level.
  • Select healthy habits. Eat healthy foods, lose the excess weight and get regular physical activity. Limit the consumption of alcohol. If you smoke, stop smoking.
  • Manage stress. Say no to other tasks, the release of negative thoughts, and to remain patient and optimistic.
  • Ask for help. Sticking to the life style changes can be difficult, especially if you do not see or feel any symptoms of high blood pressure. This can help to ask your friends and family to help you meet your goals.
  • Join a support group. You can find that talk about any concerns you have with other people in similar situations can help.

Preparing for your appointment

If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your health care provider for a blood pressure test. You can use a short sleeve shirt to your appointment to be easier to put the blood pressure cuff around your upper arm.

No special preparation is needed for a blood pressure test. To get an accurate reading, avoid caffeine, exercise, and tobacco for at least 30 minutes before the test.

Because some drugs can raise blood pressure, bring a list of all the medicines, vitamins, and other supplements that you take, and your dose to your medical appointment. Do not stop taking any medication without the advice of your provider.

Appointments can be brief. Because there's often a lot to discuss, it is a good idea to be prepared for your appointment. Here's some information to help you prepare.

What you can do

  • Write down any symptoms you are having. High blood pressure rarely has symptoms, but it is a risk factor for heart disease. Let your doctor know if you have symptoms such as chest pain or shortness of breath. Doing so can help your provider to decide how aggressively to treat high blood pressure.
  • List important medical information, including a family history of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, kidney disease or diabetes, and any major stresses or recent life changes.
  • Make a list of all medications, vitamins or supplements you are taking. To include in the dose.
  • Have a family member or friend along, if possible. Sometimes it can be difficult to remember all the information provided to you during an appointment. Someone who accompanies you may remember something that you missed or forgot.
  • Be prepared to discuss your diet and exercise habits. If you do not already follow a diet or workout routine, be ready to talk with your health care provider about the challenges that you might face in the introduction.
  • Write questions to ask their provider.

Prepare a list of questions can help you and your doctor make the most of their time together. A list of questions from most important to least important in case time runs out. For high blood pressure, some basic questions to ask your provider include:

  • What kind of proof do you need?
  • What is my goal blood pressure?
  • Do I need some kind of medication?
  • Is there a generic alternative to the medicine you're prescribing for me?
  • What foods should I eat or avoid?
  • What is an appropriate level of physical activity?
  • How often do I need to schedule an appointment to check my blood pressure?
  • Should I monitor my blood pressure at home?
  • I have other health conditions. How can I best manage them together?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material I can have? What sites do you recommend?

Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have.

What to expect from your doctor

Your health care provider is likely to ask questions. Be ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your provider may ask:

  • Do you have a family history of high cholesterol, high blood pressure or heart disease?
  • What are your diet and exercise habits like?
  • Do you drink alcohol? How many drinks they have in a week?
  • Do you smoke?
  • When was the last time you have your blood pressure? What was the result?

What you can do in the meantime

It is never too early to make changes healthy lifestyle, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting more exercise. These are the main ways to protect against hypertension and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.

Symptoms and treatment of High blood pressure (hypertension)