High Blood Pressure, New, Begin Treatment

Home care

If you have high blood pressure, do what's listed below to lower your blood pressure. If you are taking medicines for high blood pressure, these methods may reduce or end your need for medicines in the future.

• Begin a weight-loss program if you are overweight.

• Cut back on how much salt you get in your diet. Here’s how to do this:

  • Don’t eat foods that have a lot of salt. These include olives, pickles, deli and smoked meats, and salted potato chips.

  • Don’t add salt to your food at the table.

  • Use only small amounts of salt when cooking.

  • Review food labels to track how much salt is in prepared foods.

  • When eating out, ask that no additional salt be added to your food order.

  • Ask your health care provider about the DASH diet or the DASH (dietary approaches to stop hypertension) eating plan.

• Start an exercise program. Talk with your provider about the type of exercise program that would be best for you. It doesn't have to be hard. Even brisk walking is a good form of exercise.

• Don’t take medicines that have heart stimulants. This includes many over-the-counter cold and sinus decongestant pills and sprays, as well as diet pills. Check the warnings about high blood pressure on the label. Before purchasing any over-the-counter medicines or supplements, always ask the pharmacist about the product's potential interaction with your high blood pressure and your high blood pressure medicines.

• Stimulants, such as amphetamine or cocaine, could be lethal for someone with high blood pressure. Never take these.

• Limit how much caffeine you get in your diet. Switch to caffeine-free products.

• Stop smoking. If you are a long-time smoker, this can be hard. Enroll in a stop-smoking program to make it more likely that you will quit for good. Or, talk with your provider about nicotine replacements or medicines that can help.

• Learn how to handle stress. This is an important part of any program to lower blood pressure. Learn about relaxation methods like meditation, yoga, or biofeedback.

• If your provider prescribed medicines, take them exactly as directed. Missing doses may cause your blood pressure to get out of control.

• If you miss a dose or doses, check with your provider or pharmacist about what to do.

• Limit alcohol. Drinking too much alcohol can raise blood pressure. Men should have no more than 2 drinks a day. Women should have no more than 1. A drink is equal to 1 beer, or a small glass of wine, or a shot of liquor.

• Consider buying an automatic blood pressure machine so you can check your blood pressure regularly at home. Your provider can make a recommendation. You can get this at most pharmacies.

The American Heart Association recommends the following guidelines for home blood pressure monitoring:

• Don't smoke or drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks or exercise for 30 minutes before taking your blood pressure.

• Go to the bathroom before the test.

• Relax for 5 minutes before taking the measurement.

• Sit with your back supported (don't sit on a couch or soft chair). Keep your feet flat on the floor and uncrossed. Place your arm on a solid flat surface (like a table) with the upper part of the arm at heart level. Place the middle of the cuff directly above the bend of the elbow. Check the monitor's instruction manual for an illustration.

• If you take multiple blood pressure measurements, they should be taken at least 1 minute apart.

• Take your blood pressure at the same time every day, or as your provider recommends.

• Record the date, time, and blood pressure reading.

• Take the record with you to your next medical appointment. If your blood pressure monitor has a built-in memory, take the monitor with you to your next appointment.

• Contact your provider if you have several high readings. Don't be frightened by a single high blood pressure reading. But if you get several high readings, check in with your provider.

• Note: If your blood pressure reaches a systolic (top number) of 180 or higher OR diastolic (bottom number) of 120 or higher and you have any symptoms, or as directed by your provider, get emergency medical treatment.

• Note: If your blood pressure reaches a systolic (top number) of 180 or higher OR diastolic (bottom number) of 120 or higher and you do not have any symptoms, wait at least 1 to 2 minutes and recheck your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is still a systolic (top number) of 180 or higher OR diastolic (bottom number) of 120 or higher and you still do not have any symptoms, or as directed by your provider, contact your provider right away.

Follow-up care

Because a new blood pressure medicine was started today, it’s important that you have your blood pressure rechecked. This is to make sure that the medicine is working and that you have no serious side effects. Keep all your follow-up appointments. Write down medicine and blood pressure questions and bring them to your next appointment. If you have pressing concerns about your new medicine or your blood pressure, contact your health care provider. Unless told otherwise, follow up with your provider within the next 3 days.

Call 911

Call 911 if any of the following occur:

• Blood pressure that has a systolic (top number) of 180 or higher, OR diastolic (bottom number) of 120 or higher and you have any symptoms, or as directed by your health care provider

• Chest pain or shortness of breath

• Extreme drowsiness, confusion, or fainting

• Numbness, tingling, or weakness of your arm, leg, or one side of your face

• Problems speaking or seeing 

• Sudden severe pain in your belly (abdomen) or back

When to get medical care

Contact your health care provider right away if any of these occur:

• Severe headache

• Throbbing or rushing sound in the ears

• Nosebleed