17 Key Questions to Ask Your Doctor if you Have High Blood Pressure

     Hypertension, better known as high blood6. When should I take my medicines?
pressure, is defined as a chronic elevation in systolic7. Should I take my blood pressure pills with food or on
blood pressure to greater than 140 millimeters ofan empty stomach?
mercury (mm Hg) or a diastolic blood pressure greater8. What should I do if I forget to take my blood
than 90 mm Hg. At the turn of the century, nearly onepressure medicine?
billion people had hypertension worldwide which is9. Do I need an electrocardiogram (EKG)? A baseline
more than 25% of the adult population. By 2025, anEKG may be helpful in those with hypertension. It can
estimated 1.56 billion people world-wide will have highdetect problems with the heart rhythm, with the size of
blood pressure. There is approximately a 90% lifetimethe heart or detect a prior heart attack.
risk of developing hypertension.10. Do I need an echocardiogram? Some individuals
     You need to partner with the health carewith hypertension benefit from an echocardiogram that
system to actively manage high blood pressure. Doevaluates valve problems, heart function and helps
not count on the health care system to taketailor therapy.
responsibility for managing your disease. The health11. Should I be on aspirin? It is recommended that most
care system will help, but if you want to avoidpeople with multiple risk factors for vascular disease
depression, disability and death, you need to be anbe on aspirin unless there is a contraindication such as
active, responsible health care consumer.a bleeding disorder or a stomach ulcer.
     Becoming knowledgeable about disease is an12. What is my kidney function? Periodic evaluations of
important part of having a successful health carekidney function can detect one of the complications of
experience. Individuals must have a basichigh blood pressure - kidney failure.
understanding of his or her disease. The better you13. Do I have protein in my urine? This is not a common
understand your diseases the better you can partnertest in those with high blood pressure but protein in the
in your medical care.urine is an early marker of kidney damage.
     No one has a greater interest vested in your14. What is my cholesterol? Those with hypertension
well being than you. Physicians manage very busyare at increased risk for vascular disease. Monitoring
office practices and may overlook some importantcardiovascular risk factors can prevent cardiovascular
aspects of your care. It is imperative that you helpdisease. Ask the health care provider if cholesterol
your health care providers give you the care that isreadings are at goal.
needed to prevent death and disability.15. Have I been checked for diabetes? It is important to
     As part of health care responsibility you needassess for all cardiovascular risk factors in those with
to understand your disease.  Below are a list ofhypertension.
questions you should ask your health care provider if16. What lifestyle changes should I make to help control
you have high blood pressure.my blood pressure? Most health care providers
1. How often should I monitor my blood pressure?recommend exercise, a healthy diet, moderate to no
2. What is my blood pressure goal? Most people havealcohol consumption and stress reduction.
a blood pressure goal of less than 120/80 mm Hg17. Do I need a stress test? Many individuals get a
3. Do I need any routine labs to follow up on my highstress test to assess for cardiovascular disease. For
blood pressure or high blood pressure medicine? Manymost with hypertension it is important to obtain a
hypertensive medications require periodic monitoring ofstress test prior to starting an exercise program. 
certain labs.For more information on high blood pressure check out
4. What is a good weight for me? Is there a diet thata the free ebook: Chronic Disease Guide: How to
will help me achieve this weight?Prevent and Treat Common Chronic Diseases.
5. What are the side effects of my medicines?