What should I do if I have high blood pressure?

National Kidney Foundation

If you have high blood pressure (hypertension), you can help yourself by doing the following:

Have regular medical checkups.
Take all your medicines as instructed, even if you are feeling fine.
Follow your healthcare provider's recommendations about diet and exercise.
Stop smoking, if you are a smoker.
Avoid drinking more than one ounce of alcohol a day.
Get your whole family involved in your care plan.

Don't hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any questions or problems. If you follow your treatment plan, you can keep your blood pressure controlled and help to prevent serious complications.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Hypertension

Clinically known as hypertension, high blood pressure can cause a host of problems if left untreated. The most common type of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure causes our hearts to work harder by forcing blood to push against the walls of our arteries at an elevated level. Hypertension is the leading cause of strokes and heart attack. It also increases your risk of having heart and kidney failure and hardening of the arteries, a condition called atherosclerosis.

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