Work with Health Care Professionals
Health care professionals can help you make a personalized plan to get your blood pressure under control and keep it there.
Partner with a Health Care Team
There are different kinds of health care professionals who can help you get your blood pressure under control and keep it there. Working with a team of professionals gives you more ways to get support — and each professional brings different skills and experience to help you reach your goal. Here are a few professionals who may be part of your health care team.
Find the Right Fit
If you see the same health care professional or care team regularly, they’ll have a better understanding of your health history, your needs, and what’s going on in your life. What’s more, you can work to build trust — and that can make it easier to work together to adjust your blood pressure control plan. Try these tips to find a health care professional who’s a good fit for you.
Don’t Be Afraid to Speak Up
A trustworthy health care professional takes the time to answer your questions, explain their recommendations, and listen to your concerns. If it doesn’t feel like a professional is working for you, speak up! Let them know about your concerns. Then, if they don’t do anything differently, think about finding another professional.
Work Together to Adjust Your Plan
Health care professionals may know all about high blood pressure, but you’re the expert on what works for your day-to-day life. If something in your plan isn’t working for you, let a professional know, so you can decide how to adjust the plan together.
After all, blood pressure control is a journey, not a sprint. As your life changes, your blood pressure control plan will need to change, too. That’s why it’s important to visit a health care professional or care team regularly.
Get the Most from Your Appointments
Taking a few minutes to prepare for health care appointments can help you make the most of your short appointment time. Before each appointment:
Not sure what to ask a health care professional about? We’ve got you covered! Check out these resources to help you prepare for your next conversation with a professional:
- Think through anything new the professional needs to know about — like new symptoms or changes in the medicines or supplements you take
- Get ready to go over your numbers — bring a record of your blood pressure readings with you or share it on your professional’s patient portal
- Jot down any questions or concerns you want to make sure you cover
- Ask someone you trust to come with you to help take notes, ask questions, or advocate for you
Not sure what to ask a health care professional about? We’ve got you covered! Check out these resources to help you prepare for your next conversation with a professional:
Get started on your plan and think through your next steps
Download resources to help you start the conversation with a professional
Share Your Numbers with a Professional
Sharing your blood pressure numbers can help you and a health care professional tell if your plan is working. If your readings are often higher than 130 over 80, that means it’s time to make a change to your plan and bring your numbers down.
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