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High blood pressure

Questions to ask your doctor

If you've been told you have high blood pressure, you may want to talk with your doctor to find out more.

Here are some questions that you might want to ask:

What is my blood pressure? What do the numbers mean?
What blood pressure reading should I aim for?
Will I have any symptoms from my high blood pressure?
Do I need any other tests?
How often should I have my blood pressure checked?
Do I need treatment?
If I need treatment, what's the best treatment for me?
What are the side effects of treatment?
How long do I need to take this treatment for?
What should I do if I forget to take a dose of my blood pressure medication? Should I take two doses the next morning or skip one?
Will I still need to have treatment once my blood pressure comes down?
What are the chances that my blood pressure will get lower?
What will happen if I don't get my blood pressure under control?
Can I make any changes in my lifestyle to help get my blood pressure down?
How will having high blood pressure affect my life?
Is there anything I should avoid doing?

This information was last updated on Jul 25, 2008

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
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