Questions to Ask

If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, there are several key questions that you should ask your cardiologist during your next visit. These questions will ensure that you and your doctor have discussed your major risk factors so that you can become or stay as healthy as possible.

• What is high blood pressure, and what causes it?
• How do I correctly check my blood pressure at home? How often should I check it?
• I haven't really been concerned about my blood pressure. It's always been below 140/90 mm Hg. What's different now?
• What is the best blood pressure for me?
• What are the consequences of not controlling my blood pressure?
• How does my risk of heart disease factor into my blood pressure treatment?
• What medicines do I need to take and for how long?
• What does untreated high blood pressure do to my body?
• Is it better to take more of one medicine or multiple medicines?
• Will I need blood work after starting some of these medicines? What are we looking for on the blood work?
• What can I do to keep my sodium intake to under 1,500 mg? What types of foods lower blood pressure?
• How does being overweight affect my blood pressure. What type of diet should I begin to lose weight?
• What type of exercise is best to lower my blood pressure?
• How does stress affect my blood pressure, and what can I do to lower my stress levels?
• High blood pressure is a risk factor for coronary disease. Have I been screened for coronary disease?