Talking to Your Doctor

High blood pressure usually has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know for sure is to have your blood pressure checked regularly. If you think you may be at risk for high blood pressure, it is important that you get it checked and that you work with your doctor to establish the most effective course of treatment and management.

Seeing the doctor is not always easy for some people. You may feel nervous, intimidated, or even embarrassed. But preparing for doctor visits in advance can help put your mind at ease. Make the most of your doctor visits with the Doctor Discussion Guide below.

Doctor Discussion Guide

Customize your Doctor Discussion Guide by simply checking the box to the right of the questions you'd like to include.

Your personalized Doctor Discussion Guide has been generated below. Take this with you to your doctor’s appointment so that together, you and your doctor can set a blood pressure goal and discuss the best course of treatment for you.

Your Name:
Date of Visit:

About Blood Pressure

What is blood pressure?
What is high blood pressure?
What do the blood pressure numbers mean?
What should my blood pressure goal be?
What causes high blood pressure?
What are the signs and symptoms of high blood pressure?

Risk Factors

What are the risk factors of high blood pressure?
Am I at risk?
How can I lower my risk of high blood pressure?

Blood Pressure Tests

How is blood pressure tested?
How often should I have my blood pressure checked?
Do I have to have my blood pressure checked by a doctor?
Does a blood pressure test hurt?
Can I check and/or monitor my own blood pressure?

Treatment

What types of high blood pressure medications are there?
Will I need to take blood pressure medicine?
What kind of medication should I take?
What should I know about the medicine and how to take it?
Are there any side effects?
How will I know if the medicine is working?
What if I forget to take my medicine?
How long will I have to stay on medication?
Are there any foods or other medicines I should avoid while taking my blood pressure medication?
Can I drink alcohol?
Besides medication, is there anything else I can do to control my blood pressure?

Lifestyle Changes

What can I do to control my high blood pressure?
What kinds of exercise and physical activity do you recommend to help control my blood pressure?
Are there certain activities I should avoid?

Nutrition

What foods should I avoid in order to maintain a healthy blood pressure?
What foods do you recommend for a healthy heart?
Do I need to lower my sodium intake?
How can I lower my sodium intake?
What is a salt substitute?
Are there certain things I should look for when reading food packages and labeling?

Current Medications

Will my current medications interfere with my high blood pressure medication?
Is it safe to take oral contraceptives while taking blood pressure medication?
Will my herbal supplements interfere with my high blood pressure medicine?
Will over-the-counter medications interfere with my high blood pressure medicine?

EXFORGE

What is EXFORGE?
How does EXFORGE work?
How is EXFORGE taken?
How often do I have to take EXFORGE?
What are the possible side effects of EXFORGE?
Can I take other medications while taking EXFORGE?
How soon can I expect to see improvement with EXFORGE?
Is EXFORGE right for me?

Additional Information

Use the space below to enter any additional information you'd like to discuss with your doctor. You may want to include medications you are already taking or any symptoms or side effects you may be experiencing.



After you have selected questions for your Doctor Discussion Guide, print it and take it with you to your next doctor's appointment.


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How EXFORGE Works

EXFORGE combines two of the most prescribed medicines in one pill. Find out how they work together to help lower blood pressure. LEARN MORE

African Americans
& High Blood Pressure

Do you know your risk?
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