Step 12: You and your doctor are a team

Return to Index Step 1: What is Blood Pressure? Step 2: Take High Blood Pressure Seriously Step 3: What Causes High Blood Pressure? Step 4: Who Gets High Blood Pressure? Step 5: High Blood Pressure is "Silent" Step 6: Diagnosing High Blood Pressure Step 7: Follow-up Office Visits Step 8: Treatment Overview Step 9: Maintain Healthy Habits Step 10: Drug Therapy Step 11: Monitor Your Blood Pressure at Home Step 12: You and Your Doctor are a Team Key Points Glossary

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The type of treatment and drug therapy you receive will depend on the severity of your high blood pressure and the presence of other medical problems.

Both you and your physician play important roles in achieving your health goals. Your physician is responsible for providing you with complete and accurate information about your health care and treatment. Your role is important too -- even though you may not feel symptoms, high blood pressure is a serious condition and it is very important that you understand and stick to your treatment plan.

Helpful Handouts

Before you leave your doctor's office, make sure that you ask the right questions. For a list you can print out and take with you, click here .

If you experience problems with your medicine, do not stop taking the drug on your own . Talk with your doctor first. Most side effects go away over time, or your doctor may be able to change the dosage or prescribe a different drug.

It is also very important that you maintain your follow-up appointments with your doctor and consider purchasing a home blood pressure monitor to keep track of your pressure between doctor visits.

High blood pressure can be controlled. By working with your doctor to follow your treatment guidelines, making healthy lifestyle changes, and staying informed about your health status, you CAN reduce your high blood pressure and decrease your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Review Date: 4/6/2007
Reviewed By: Glen Gandelman, MD, MPH, Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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