Updated January 20, 2015.

Written or reviewed by a board-certified physician. See About.com's Medical Review Board.

Do you feel comfortable talking with your doctor? I ask this because I find that many people are very reluctant to share important aspects of  medical information with their doctor. This can include consuming other natural supplements, seeing other healthcare providers, and pursing other complementary and alternative treatments.   

When it comes to looking for ways to improve blood pressure and overall health, people (including myself) will do all of these things.

 

Just like you and I, patients want acknowledgement and acceptance from their physician and other health care providers. Without acceptance, acknowledgement and understanding, there can be no further  fruitful discussion as to whether or not a particular therapy will work. Talking about  our own personal health practices, our own health choices is a very personal thing. Myself included, all people want is  to be in a safe environment where they can speak with their provider without judgment or fear of ridicule. 

What does this have to do with blood pressure? Absolutely everything. Blood pressure issues do not just occur in a bubble in the absence of everything else. They occur in the context of other health conditions, and life itself, including family issues, work deadlines. Life happens and it can  dramatically affect blood pressure.     

In addition to reviewing your medications and taking your blood pressure during your visit, here is what I want to know if you have high blood pressure:

* What Other Supplements Are You Taking? There are few people who don't take anything. I need to know because certain medications can interact with certain supplements which can be really bad. It may be that the supplements you are taking are doing such a good job that your medication doses can be reduced. If you don't tell me, I won't know. 

* What is Your Dietary History? Guess what? I am no angel myself here. I know how hard it is to stick  to a nutrition plan. It becomes especially difficult when  you feel fine (which is why high blood pressure is called the silent killer). Let me let you in on a secret: Rome was not built in a day. There is so much that goes in to why we eat a certain way, from stress to emotion to lack of time. Changing the diet is a step by step process, focusing on one meal at a time as well as aspects  that are going on that time  of the day. If you don't share this information with me,  we can't have a discussion.

* How Are You Sleeping? If you sleep less than seven hours a night you will likely develop high blood pressure over time. With kids and job deadlines it can be difficult. I want to talk out with you how you can sleep better. 

* How Do You Channel Stress? Notice I did not say stress reduction. If you can reduce the stress in your life, by all means go for it. Stress, often unexpected, confronts us every day of our lives. How we respond to that stress and how we channel it is so important. The meditation and breathing exercises are not bullshit; they help us cope with channel the stress in a healthy way. Stress raises endothelin levels and raises blood pressure. If you don't learn how to effectively channel stress, you will never get your blood pressure under control. 

Again on a personal note, I have also had nights where I could not sleep, my mind filled with the events of the day. Three in the morning and sometimes I couldn't sleep I would be pacing back and forth only to get up at 6 am completely exhausted. I needed to figure out how to relax and meditate before I went to bed or else I would not be able to sleep. 

In summary, if you don't feel comfortable with your "team" you need to make some changes. Your blood pressure is worth it.