Preparing questions in advance can help patients to have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions related to high blood pressure in black Americans:

1. How high is my blood pressure?
   
   
2. What are some immediate steps I can take to lower my blood pressure?
   
   
3. What other risk factors for heart disease do I have? Should we measure all of my risk factors?
   
   
4. What is my risk for kidney disease, blindness, heart failure and other complications of high blood pressure?
   
   
5. Should I be taking blood pressure-lowering medications? Which ones? At what dose?
   
   
6. What resources are there to learn about healthy lifestyle decisions?
   
   
7. Can I start an exercise program? What's an appropriate level of exercise?
   
   
8. If there are any genetic causes of high blood pressure, should my relatives also be checked?
   
   
9. How long will I have to take medication?
   
   
10. If I lower my blood pressure, will it lower the risk of serious complications?