Partner With Your Care Team

Your medical appointment is your opportunity to take control of your health. Come prepared:

• Bring a list of all medications — including supplements and over-the-counter drugs
• Bring your home BP log — readings from the past 2 weeks are valuable
• Write down your questions beforehand — you are more likely to ask them
• Bring a trusted person — they can help remember what the doctor says

Questions to ask your doctor:

• What is my blood pressure goal?
• Are there side effects I should watch for with my medications?
• Should I be monitoring at home? How often?
• What lifestyle changes will have the biggest impact for me?
• When should I come back?

Home monitoring helps you and your doctor make better decisions. Follow these steps for accurate readings:

1. Sit quietly for 5 minutes before measuring
2. Sit with your back supported and feet flat on the floor
3. Place the cuff on your bare upper arm at heart level
4. Do not talk during the measurement
5. Take 2–3 readings, 1 minute apart, and record the average
6. Measure at the same time each day (morning and evening if possible)
7. Avoid caffeine, exercise, and smoking for 30 minutes before measuring

Keep a log (paper or app) and share it with your care team. Look for patterns — if your morning readings are consistently above goal, tell your doctor.