Discuss your blood pressure concerns with your doctor. If you’re already on medications, they probably should be adjusted. If you aren’t on medications, it may be reasonable to start with a trial of lifestyle changes, although many people ultimately need medication to get their blood pressure into the normal range.
Ask your doctor to check for other conditions that can worsen high blood pressure, such as sleep apnea.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you’re on any medications that can worsen high blood pressure (these can include NSAIDs, as well as some antidepressants)
Monitor your blood pressure regularly to make sure it responds to the treatment plan.
Consider getting a home blood pressure monitor that uses an arm cuff and check your BP every few days to make sure it responds to medication. (Wrist and finger monitoring systems don’t give accurate results.) Write down each reading, indicating the date and time, and bring this record to the doctor when you visit.
Make lifestyle changes:
Stop smoking.
Lose weight or maintain healthy weight.
Increase physical activity.
Lower salt intake to less than 2g per day (most Americans get 5 to 10 grams a day).
Limit caffeine.
Limit alcohol.
Reduce stress.