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High Blood Pressure Questions
Many people have high blood pressure questions; however, it's easy to forget them when you're at the doctor's office. High blood pressure questions you might consider asking your healthcare provider have to do with needed medications or other treatment options. Getting answers to your high blood pressure questions will help you get started on the road to controlling or preventing hypertension.
If you have high blood pressure (also known as hypertension), there are a number of questions you can ask your healthcare provider. The following list can help you get started:
- What is my blood pressure reading in numbers? (Ask your healthcare provider to write it down for you.)
- What is my goal blood pressure?
- Is my blood pressure under adequate control?
- Is my systolic pressure too high (over 140)?
- What would be a healthy weight for me?
- Is there a diet to help me lose weight (if I need to) and lower my blood pressure?
- Is there a recommended healthy eating plan I should follow to help lower my blood pressure (if I don't need to lose weight)?
- Is it safe for me to start doing regular physical activity?
- What is the name of my high blood pressure medication? Is that the brand name or the generic name?
- What are the possible side effects of my blood pressure medication? (Be sure the doctor knows about any allergies you have and any other medications you are taking, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary supplements.)
- What time of day should I take my blood pressure medicine?
- Should I take it with food?
- Are there any foods, beverages, or dietary supplements I should avoid when taking this high blood pressure medicine?
- What should I do if I forget to take my blood pressure medications at the recommended time? Should I take them as soon as I remember or should I wait until the next dosage is due?
Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD