Have your blood pressure checked to find out if it's high.
	Keep appointments with your doctor. This will help everyone monitor your blood pressure program and make any adjustments to keep your blood pressure under control.
	Take prescribed blood pressure drugs as directed. If you don't feel well after taking a medication, tell your doctor how you feel. This will help your doctor adjust your treatment so you won't have unpleasant side effects.
	Follow medical advice about diet and physical activity. Make an effort to lose weight if it's recommended. Make changes in your general health habits if you need to.
	Remind yourself that as long as you and your team of health advisors work together, you can control your blood pressure.
	Tell your family you have high blood pressure. They can help you control it. If it's practical, have your spouse, another family member or a friend go with you to the doctor's office or clinic. Another person may help you remember what you're told. The person who prepares the meals in your family needs to know about any diet changes that are needed. Family members can also help you remember to take your medicines on schedule.
	Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole-grain, high-fiber foods.
	Choose fat-free or low-fat dairy products.
	Use less salt. Don't eat too many salty foods.
	Limit yourself to no more than one alcoholic drink a day (for women) or two drinks a day (for men).
	Know what your weight should be. Keep it at or below that level.
	Enjoy at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week.
	Know your blood pressure. Have it checked at least once a year.
	Make sure your parents, brothers and sisters, and children have their blood pressures checked regularly.
	Take your medicine exactly as prescribed; don't run out of pills even for one day.

Track your blood pressure with a printable tracker or online with Heart360.

This content is reviewed regularly. Last updated 10/19/09.