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FOR PATIENTS & FAMILIES
High blood pressure — Take-home summary
The essentials to keep, discuss, and use between visits.
Understand your condition
High blood pressure often causes no symptoms. Over time it can damage the heart, brain, kidneys, and eyes. Repeated accurate readings help guide treatment.
Everyday care
- Use a validated upper-arm cuff: rest 5 minutes, support your back and arm, and keep feet flat.
- Record readings using your care team's schedule. Take medicines even when you feel well.
- Ask for your personal BP goal and follow-up/lab plan.
When to contact your care team
If the top number is above 180 or the bottom number above 120 without concerning symptoms, repeat after at least 1 minute. If still this high, contact your clinician immediately. Do not take extra medicine without instructions.
When to call 911
Call 911 for chest pressure, severe trouble breathing, or sudden weakness, trouble speaking, or vision changes. Do not wait for a BP reading. Very high BP with these symptoms is an emergency.
Questions for your next visit
- What is my BP goal?
- Is my cuff accurate and the right size?
- When should I call about readings?
Reviewed October 11, 2026. This summary supports your personal care plan.