Atlanta: Let’s Take the Pressure Off
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can cause serious health problems, like stroke, dementia, kidney failure, heart attack, and even sexual health issues. Problems like these can change your life — and make it harder to do the things you love to do. The good news is that you can take steps to lower your blood pressure and lower your risk.
If your blood pressure is often higher than 120 over 80, it’s time to take action. This site offers tips and local resources to help you bring your blood pressure down and live the life you want to live.
Work with a Health Care Professional
Controlling blood pressure is a team effort. That means working with a health care professional, like a doctor, pharmacist or nurse, to:
- Understand what your blood pressure numbers are and what they mean for your health
- Identify lifestyle changes — like new healthy recipes or ways to get active
- Decide if medicine is the right option to get your blood pressure into a healthy range
- Track your blood pressure over time to see what works for you — and what doesn’t
- Adjust your treatment plan to fit your life and your blood pressure goal
Controlling high blood pressure is not a one-time thing. It’s a journey toward your healthiest self. Whether you’re new to managing your blood pressure or you’ve been working toward a goal for a while, there’s a next step that’s right for you.
Get an appointment
Whether you have a regular doctor or not, it’s never too late to get the care you need. A doctor or nurse can help you understand your blood pressure numbers, create a personalized plan that fits your life, and track your progress. Ready to take the first step? Schedule an appointment with a doctor — and explore these tips for getting the most out of your appointment.
Know your numbers
If your blood pressure is often higher than 120 over 80, it’s too high for your health. Blood pressure can go up and down over time, so it’s important to check it regularly.
There are many ways you can get your blood pressure checked:
- At your local pharmacy — contact your pharmacy to see if they offer free blood pressure checks
- At a doctor’s office or clinic — ask the doctor or nurse to measure your blood pressure at every visit
- At home — many health insurance plans and community organizations offer free or low-cost blood pressure monitors you can use at home
Ask about medicine
For many people, healthy lifestyle changes aren’t enough to reach their blood pressure goal. If you’ve tried lifestyle changes and your numbers are still high, you’re not alone! It may be time to think about trying a treatment plan to get to your goal.
Starting to take medicine can feel like a big step! It’s normal to wonder about things like side effects, costs, and more. Remember: you’re not alone. You can work with a health care professional, like a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, to:
- Get answers to all of your questions and concerns about taking medicine
- Make changes to help blood pressure medicine work better for your body, like adjusting your dose or trying a different kind of medicine
- Overcome barriers, like finding more affordable options or discussing ways to make remembering to take medicine easier
Take it one step at a time
Controlling your blood pressure doesn’t mean changing your whole lifestyle in a day. In fact, it’s a lot easier to make changes that stick if you take it one step at a time. The sooner you control high blood pressure, the better your odds of staying healthy, releasing stress, and being around to enjoy time with friends and family.
Take time to recognize every step you take, like fitting a workout in your busy week or remembering to take your medicine every day. And keep doing your best to follow your treatment plan so you can live the life you want to live!
Tools and Resources
You don’t have to go on the blood pressure journey alone. Help is available. There are resources online and in Atlanta that can help you navigate finding a doctor, covering costs, and more — so you can do what you need to do to get your blood pressure in a healthy range.
Find ways to access to care
- Find Health Care Coverage: Use this tool to find and compare health insurance plans that may help cover the cost of blood pressure care.
- Find a Local Health Center: Use this tool to find Atlanta health centers near you that offer free or low-cost care, even without insurance.
- Search for Affordable Services: Use your ZIP code to find free or reduced-cost services that can help you control your blood pressure, like health care, food, and more.
- Access Medication Assistance Programs: Find a list of programs and resources for free or discounted medications to help control your blood pressure.
- Tips for Choosing a Doctor: Get quick tips for finding a primary care doctor who meets your needs.
Get tips and tools to help you follow your treatment plan
- Find Blood Pressure Monitors: Use this tool to find blood pressure monitors that have been tested and proven to give accurate results, so you can feel confident tracking your blood pressure at home.
- Tips for Reducing Sodium: Follow these tips to help lower your sodium (salt) intake.
- DASH Eating Plan: Learn how to make healthier food choices and get tips to lower salt in your meals.
- Sodium Can Be Sneaky: Discover how salt can hide in everyday foods — and explore lower-sodium swaps.
- Cut Down on Sodium: Learn how to cut down on sodium — and still enjoy the foods you love.
- Tips for Eating Healthy on a Budget: Get tips for saving money while making healthier choices.
- Understanding Food Nutrition Labels: Learn how to read what’s on a nutrition label, so you can make healthier food choices.
- Using the Nutrition Facts Label: Get familiar with the main terms on a nutrition label and what they mean.
Learn more about blood pressure basics
- High Blood Pressure Facts: Get the facts about high blood pressure and who it affects the most.
- Controlling Your Blood Pressure: Learn how small changes can make a difference in controlling your blood pressure.
- Effects of Uncontrolled Blood Pressure: Learn more about uncontrolled high blood pressure and its effects on the body.
- High Blood Pressure and Your Brain: Check out resources from the Mind Your Risks® campaign to learn about the connection between high blood pressure and your brain health.
- Blood Pressure Guidelines: Discover the latest facts and guidelines about high blood pressure.
- Understanding Blood Pressure Readings: Learn what your blood pressure numbers mean.
About this Page
This information is brought to you by the CDC Foundation and the Atlanta Hypertension Initiative with the goal and commitment of improving the health of Atlantans through equitable hypertension control.