About 72 million people in the United States age 20 and older have high blood pressure, according to the American Heart Association. That's one in every four adults. High blood pressure is referred to as the "silent killer" because it often has no warning signs.

Many people are surprised to find that they have high blood pressure. But it is a serious condition -- one of the leading causes of stroke and heart disease. If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, take it seriously.

By following the steps below and working with your doctor, you CAN lower your high blood pressure and decrease your risk for heart disease.


Medication side effects
Forgetting to take medication
Can herbs help?
I. Let's Get Started
Step 1: What is blood pressure?
Step 2: Take high blood pressure seriously
Step 3: What causes high blood pressure?
Step 4: Who gets high blood pressure?
II. Testing and Screening
Step 5: High blood pressure is "silent"
Step 6: Diagnosing high blood pressure
Step 7: Follow-up office visits
III. Managing High Blood Pressure
Step 8: Treatment overview
Step 9: Maintain healthy habits
Step 10: Drug therapy
Step 11: Monitor your blood pressure at home
Step 12: You and your doctor are a team

Learn More

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Drug treatments: ACE inhibitors

Drug treatments: Beta blockers

Drug treatments: Calcium channel blockers

Drug treatments: Diuretics

Drug treatments: Other drugs

Essential hypertension

High blood pressure in children

High blood pressure: Risk factors in women

More conditions related to high blood pressure

Pay attention to your systolic pressure!

Recommendations for specific types of patients

Secondary hypertension


Helpful Handouts

Questions to ask your doctor


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Review Date: 6/8/2011
Reviewed By: Steven Kang, MD, Division of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, East Bay Arrhythmia, Cardiovascular Consultants Medical Group, Oakland, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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