Patients with High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) don't always get the care they need. For Example,   A study of over 20,000 adults showed that less than 1 in 5 people with a history of high blood pressure had their blood pressure under control.  Source: Healthy People 2010, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services   Less than 40% of women whose blood pressure was not controlled had their high blood pressure medication changed or were encouraged to make an important lifestyle change (like losing weight or exercising) to help control their blood pressure.  Source: Asch, Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001   Less than half of women whose blood pressure had been high for at least 6 months were prescribed a medication.  Source: Asch, Archives of Internal Medicine, 2001 The following is an example only; the information below is not meant to apply specifically to you. Questions you should ask your doctor: Should I have a lower blood pressure? Would lifestyle changes help to lower my blood pressure? Would I benefit from having a blood test to measure my creatinine? Would I benefit from having my urine tested for protein? Is there anything I can do to make it easier for me to take my blood pressure medication(s)? Would I benefit from switching my blood pressure medication from an Ace Inhibitor or an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker to something else? You may benefit from keeping your blood pressure lower than it is currently. From what you've told us, your blood pressure may be too high.  You may want to ask your doctor about this.  Certain people may benefit from keeping their systolic blood pressure (top number) less than 130 mmHg and their diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) less than 80 mmHg.  Adults with diabetes, or chronic kidney disease should aim for this lower blood pressure goal. More Information... You may benefit from talking to your doctor about lifestyle changes that might help to lower your blood pressure. Many people with high blood pressure can benefit from having a discussion with a doctor each year about lifestyle changes that they can make to lower their blood pressure.  For people who have high-normal blood pressure or who are recently diagnosed with high blood pressure, that discussion should focus on lifestyle changes which have been shown to prevent and treat high blood pressure.  Lifestyle changes, such as participating in regular aerobic exercise, eating less salt, and eating more fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy products can help many people lower their blood pressure. More Information... It's great that your blood pressure is checked at every visit with the doctor who you see for your blood pressure. Many people with high blood pressure can benefit from having their blood pressure checked at each visit with the provider who cares for their high blood pressure.  Your blood pressure can change a great deal from one visit to the next, so it's good to check it each time. More Information... You may benefit from having a blood test to measure your creatinine. Many people with high blood pressure can benefit from having a blood test for creatinine at least once every year.  You may want to ask your doctor about this.  A creatinine test is a blood test that reflects your kidney function.  People with high blood pressure are at high risk for kidney damage.  Protein in the urine is a sign of kidney damage and suggests that blood pressure needs to be controlled more closely. More Information... You may benefit from having a urine protein test. From what you've told us, you have not had a urine protein test in the past year.  You may want to ask your doctor about this.  Many people with high blood pressure can benefit from having a yearly test to check for protein in their urine.  High blood pressure can damage the kidneys; so checking the level of protein in the urine helps your doctor know if your blood pressure is controlled well enough. More Information... You may benefit from talking to your doctor about your high blood pressure medication(s). Many people with high blood pressure can benefit from having a discussion, at least every year, about their ability to take their high blood pressure medications every day.  You may want to talk to your doctor about this.  If it is helpful to you, your doctor may be able to change your high blood pressure medication(s) to one that is cheaper, taken only once a day, and easier to tolerate. More Information... If you are pregnant or may become pregnant, you should switch your high blood pressure medication from an ace inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker to something else. From what you've told us, you are a woman of child-bearing age and you're taking an ace inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker.  You may want to ask your doctor about this.  Many women who are of child-bearing age and who are taking an ace inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker should stop taking these medications and switch to another medication.  Ace inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers can harm a developing fetus. More Information...