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.

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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 (Note: File requires Adobe Acrobat) 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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