High blood pressure... How frequently should you visit your doctor?

Dr. Prabhanjan Kulkarni, MBBS, MD General Medicine, DNB

High blood pressure, also known medically as hypertension, refers to a chronic medical condition characterized by elevated blood pressure in the arteries. This condition puts additional strain on the heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of various health complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and cognitive decline. The exact causes of hypertension are not fully understood but factors such as genetics, obesity, lack of physical activity, excessive salt intake, and stress can contribute to its development. Treatment options include lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise changes and medication to manage blood pressure levels. Regular monitoring and management of high blood pressure are crucial to prevent or minimize the associated health risks.

The basic question you may have is, how frequently should I visit my doctor for a blood pressure check up? What number is too less and what is too frequent? What is the number adviced for a person with a normal BP, and what is the number of visits adviced for a patient of hypertension on treatment?

There are many guidelines and sources available for western countries, but you may be finding it difficult to search guidelines adviced for Indian population. Don't worry, we will take care of it and help you understand. Read on...

1. Monitoring blood pressure in patients not yet confirmed to have hypertension.

2. Monitoring blood pressure in patients diagnosed to have hypertension, and on medication

Monitoring blood pressure in patients not yet confirmed to have hypertension.

a. Optimal/normal BP: If your BP is <130/85 mmHg on the first visit, it is adviced to follow-up with your doctor for a blood pressure check once every year.

b. High normal BP: If your BP is between 130-139 mmHg systolic and 85-89 mmHg diastolic, your doctor may advice you more tests for out-of-office BP monitoring such as Ambulatory BP Monitoring (ABPM) or Home BP Monitoring (HBPM). If these tests are normal, it is adviced to follow-up with your doctor for a blood pressure check once every year. If these tests are abnormal, your doctor may prescribe certain lifestyle advices or medications to control your BP.

Monitoring blood pressure in patients diagnosed to have hypertension, and on medication

If you are a patient of hypertension on medication, your doctor may initially advice you to get your BP checked once every month, till your BP is controlled by the doses prescribed. Once your BP achieves the target level, your doctor may advice you to get a BP check up done once every 3 months.

So, be aware of your health concerns and take appropriate measures and follow up with your doctor regularly. The good news is that hypertension is preventable and manageable through lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques. It is crucial to monitor blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice if it is consistently high. By taking proactive measures, we can reduce the risk of hypertension-related complications and enjoy a healthier, happier life.

This article has been compiled using sources from European Society of Hypertension (ESH) and Journal of Association of Physicians of India (JAPI) IGH-IV guidelines.

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