When you have hypertension (also known as high blood pressure), it’s imperative to take an active role in managing your condition. As part of your healthcare team, you can advocate for the most effective treatment plan for your needs and preferences. Being informed and speaking up empowers you to get the best care.
Understand All Your Options
Medications, lifestyle changes, complementary approaches, or often a combination of all of these may help control hypertension. Make sure to discuss all medical and non-medical options with your doctor so you understand the pros and cons of each.
For instance, some people wish to minimize medications, try natural remedies first, or need choices that fit their budget. Knowing the possibilities allows you to find the right solutions.
Ask Questions
Since hypertension is complex and has many therapies available, asking questions improves the chances you’ll get the information you need. Inquire about how each medication works, potential side effects, costs, risk reduction capabilities, and if generics are available.
Also, ask about diet and exercise recommendations, stress management techniques, weight loss programs, and natural supplements.
Speak Up About Concerns
Be honest about any concerns you have about your hypertension treatment plan. Maybe you dislike remembering to take daily medicine, struggle with costs, or dread the potential side effects some medications may cause.
Healthcare providers need to know these issues to make appropriate adjustments. For example, timed-release or combination pills could help reduce dosing frequency.
Request Ongoing Education
Managing hypertension over the long term requires dedication and information. Ask your healthcare team to keep you updated on the latest evidence-based therapies and research. Sign up for patient newsletters, ask about educational classes offered, and check credible websites to stay current on ways to best handle your condition for years to come.
The more you know, the better able you will be to manage your hypertension. However, you should avoid making any changes to your treatment plan without consulting your doctor.
Share Your Experiences
Keep your healthcare providers informed about your experiences using hypertension medications and making lifestyle changes. Be specific about what works and what doesn’t.
This feedback will allow your healthcare provider to better customize your treatment plan for the best possible outcomes.
Maybe that first medication caused intolerable headaches and needs to be switched out with another option. Or perhaps you discovered just 20 minutes of brisk walking daily helps lower your blood pressure.
Use Tracking Tools
Monitoring your blood pressure over time provides essential data for optimal care. Consider purchasing a home blood pressure monitor so you can easily take daily readings and record the numbers.
You can then show these trends to your doctor to provide them with the data they need to adjust your treatment plan. It is also important to track symptoms, diet, activity levels, stress, and anything else impacting your hypertension.
Coordinate Among Providers
If you have more than one doctor helping manage other conditions along with your hypertension, keep everyone in the loop. Provide contact info so your healthcare team can connect and coordinate effectively on your overall treatment plan.
Before adding any new prescriptions, over-the-counter meds, herbs, or supplements, always verify with your prescribing physician that no problematic interactions exist.
Bring Someone for Support
Taking along a trusted friend or relative to appointments can provide valuable support. They can help you remember questions, take notes, offer encouragement, and make sure you understand all guidance.
If English is not your first language or you have hearing, vision, or cognitive issues, consider utilizing patient advocates to smooth communication with your healthcare providers.
Build a Relationship
Selecting doctors with good bedside manners who you connect with goes a long way toward facilitating exceptional hypertension care. When you feel comfortable, respected, and heard, you become engaged and willing to listen to guidance.
You should not hesitate to see another provider if you find yourself dreading your interactions with your current doctor. The right match makes the process smoother.
Participate in Decisions
Ideally, hypertension management should be a collaborative endeavor that includes you and your healthcare providers. So, ask your doctors to present options when choices exist instead of simply telling you what you must do.
Share your preferences and values so personalized plans can be created collaboratively, which increases the likelihood that you will stick to that plan.
Advocate for Access
If hypertension medication costs, insurance coverage limitations, or transportation issues reduce your access to treatments, speak up so you and your healthcare team can find solutions. For example, local clinics offering services on a sliding fee scale based on income may be available.
Also, consider asking about patient prescription assistance programs, which some pharmaceutical companies provide. For transportation, you might be able to access taxi vouchers, subsidized public transportation, or telehealth appointments. It’s simply a matter of asking for help.
Join a Support Network
Connecting with others also living with hypertension provides a community that can further motivate and inspire you to stick to your treatment protocols.
You can share advice, resources, and encouragement. Consider joining local in-person or online support groups. Mastering hypertension management has its challenges, so surround yourself with those who understand.
Imperial Center Family Medicine: Your Partner in Hypertension Care
Imperial Center Family Medicine’s healthcare experts in Durham, NC take pride in truly listening and developing personalized hypertension treatment plans catered to your unique needs, preferences, and goals.
Contact us today at 919-873-4437 or online to begin a caring relationship focused on your long-term health, not just short-term numbers. Together, we’ll get your hypertension under control so you can feel your best while lowering risks.