It’s important to work closely with your doctor to manage high blood pressure and prevent complications from developing. Talking to your doctor regularly and getting a detailed treatment plan, as well as regular visits can make a big difference in helping you take good care of yourself and stay healthy. Here’s a step-by-step guide to talking to your doctor about high blood pressure:

Step One: Know your numbers.

First, find out what your high blood pressure “number” is, what it means and how to set your targets for managing the condition: What is your current blood pressure and what readings are you aiming for with the lifestyle modifications and/or medications your physician is prescribing? If you have other heart disease risk factors, such as cholesterol abnormalities or diabetes, ask how they might impact your blood pressure goals.

Step Two: Manage your medicines.

Ask your doctor to explain why you’re taking a particular high blood pressure medication, how it works, how often you should take it and whether it should be taken with or without food, and what side effects or potential interactions you should watch out for. Are there any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you should avoid (such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)? Given your condition, should you be concerned about the alcohol or caffeine content of any drugs you might take occasionally (such as cough syrup or headache remedies or decongestants)? Are there any possible interactions or side effects you should be aware of with other drugs you may be taking? Is one blood pressure drug likely to adequately control your hypertension? (Many people take more than one since blood pressure medications work in different ways; this may allow you to take the drugs at lower doses, which can minimize or eliminate unpleasant side effects.)

Step Three: Look at Your lifestyle.

Find out how you should modify your diet, how often and vigorously you should exercise, and what special measures you should take for getting more rest. If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep—or your partner regularly complains about your snoring—mention this to your doctor and ask whether you should be evaluated for sleep apnea, which can contribute to hypertension. Also, should you try to lose weight or learn new ways to cope with stress? Being overweight or under chronic stress can increase your blood pressure and heart rate, making it harder to manage hypertension. 

Step Four: Plan Ahead.

Ask your doctor how often you should check your blood pressure at home and how often you should be seen for routine visits and what tests you should expect at these appointments. In addition, ask what other medical conditions—like diabetes, kidney disease, or sleep apnea—may complicate your management of high blood pressure and when you should seek additional help for those.

Step Five: Fill in the Blanks.

To make sure you’re not overlooking anything important, it helps to ask your doctor a few catch-all questions, such as: What else do I need to know? What stumbling blocks should I watch out for in my care? What kinds of symptoms or changes should always be reported to you? When should I suspect I’m having a hypertensive crisis and seek emergency care?