Steps To Take High Blood Pressure Seriously

The most important element in the management of high blood pressure is follow-up care.

* Routine blood pressure check-ups are important to monitor readings and decide upon a treatment plan.

* With age and the natural progression of hardening of the arteries, systolic blood pressure may elevate over time. A treatment that once worked well may no longer work as well and your medication treatment may need to be changed.

* Routine physical exams and screening blood tests may be suggested to help monitor the success of blood pressure management.

* Follow-up visits are a good time to discuss with your health care practitioner any medication side effects you are experiencing. He or she will have suggestions for managing side effects or may change your treatment.

* Follow-up visits are a great opportunity for monitoring for other associated risk factors, such as high cholesterol, smoking cessation, and obesity.