Diagnosed with High Blood Pressure? Here’s the First Question to Ask Your Doctor

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

Being told that you have high blood pressure can feel overwhelming. The condition, also known as hypertension, is often referred to as “the silent killer” because you might not feel any symptoms when your blood pressure is elevated. But having high blood pressure can increase your risk of health conditions like heart disease and death if left untreated. The good news? A diagnosis may not be all doom and gloom.

While there is no magic cure for high blood pressure, you can take steps to help control it. There are an array of lifestyle changes and medical interventions that can help you get your blood pressure under control. And the first step comes with asking your doctor the right question. Here’s the first question to ask:

What lifestyle changes or treatments are best for me?

High blood pressure affects everyone differently. The cause behind a person’s high blood pressure is unique to that adult and thus, so is the treatment. While you may find some general tips for treating high blood pressure online, you’ll want to start by having a candid conversation with your doctor to see which treatment is right for you specifically.

During your appointment, your doctor will ask about your current lifestyle – diet and exercise, sleep, stress level, medications you are taking – all things that can contribute to an elevated blood pressure – and will come up with a personalized treatment plan to help you reduce your blood pressure ratio.

Here are some types of treatments your doctor may suggest:

Dietary changes: Eating a well-balanced, low salt, low sugar and low saturated fat diet (often referred to as the DASH diet)
Changing medications that may be contributing to alternates without a blood pressure increasing side effect
In some cases, you may be put on a medication to help control your level
Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of physical activity per day, five days a week
If you’re a smoker, quit
Find was to manage stress like yoga, meditation and journaling
Maintain a healthy weight

Know your numbers

Another important question to ask is “what is my blood pressure number?” During an appointment, your doctor will go over your blood pressure number with you to make sure that you’re educated. They will likely set you up with an at-home monitoring device so that you can check your blood pressure on your own in between appointments. As a reference, the following is often a guide:

Top number (systolic):

Normal: Less than 120
Elevated: 120-129
High Blood Pressure Stage 1: 130-139
High Blood Pressure Stage 2: 140+
Hypertensive Crisis (call your doctor immediately): 180+

Bottom number (diastolic):

Normal: Less than 80
Elevated: Less than 80
High Blood Pressure Stage 1: 80-89
High Blood Pressure Stage 2: 90+
Hypertensive Crisis (call your doctor immediately): 120+

A few additional questions to ask:

After understanding the degree of your high blood pressure and your doctor’s recommendations on treating it, you will likely still have some follow up questions. It can be hard to remember to ask everything you want to in the office but here are some common blood pressure questions that you may want to ask.

“What could be causing my high blood pressure?”
“Do I have underlying conditions that could be contributing?”
“How often should I monitor my blood pressure at home?”
“How much sodium should I consume daily?”
“What are the best exercises I can be doing to lower my blood pressure?”
“Can any supplements help lower my blood pressure?”
“How often should I see you for follow up appointments?”
“What do I do if my blood pressure reads extra high at home?”
“What symptoms should I watch out for at home?”
“Do I need to limit my caffeine?”
“How can I tell if my blood pressure medication is working?”
“Can I stop my medication if my blood pressure improves?”
“Anything else I need to know about how to treat and manage my condition?”

With the right treatment, you can be on your way to getting your blood pressure under control. The most important thing is to have your questions answered and to leave your appointment with a clear understanding of what you need to do. Then, follow your doctor’s plan and keep up with your follow-up appointments.

_{The above content is shared for educational and informational purposes only. You must consult your doctor before beginning any diet, exercise, or fitness program, taking any additional or discontinuing any existing medications, or acting on any content on this website, especially if you have a medical condition. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on our site.}