Nurse-explained learning
Clear answers. No lecture.
Short guides written in plain English. Each one is based on trusted sources like the American Heart Association, CDC, and NIH, and ends with one small next step.
120/80mm Hg
Blood pressure basics: what the two numbers mean
The categories, the vocabulary, and why your pattern matters more than any one reading.
Read the guide →Just told you have high blood pressure? Start here
What the diagnosis means, what usually happens next, and the first three things to do.
Read the guide →How to take an accurate blood pressure reading at home
The step-by-step checklist, plus why your numbers change and when not to panic.
Read the guide →When to call 911 about high blood pressure
The numbers and symptoms that mean you should get help now.
Read the guide →How to prepare for your next appointment
What to bring, what to ask, and how to make a short visit count.
Read the guide →Topics
Browse by topic
Each topic page explains the basics and lists every guide on it.
My numbers: understand your readings
What the two numbers mean, the 2025 categories, home readings, and how to share your numbers with your care team.
See the topic →Food and blood pressure
Less sodium, more flavor. Sodium limits, the DASH pattern, label reading, and where to start.
See the topic →Exercise and blood pressure
How much activity helps, what counts, how to start small, and the warning signs to stop.
See the topic →Sleep and blood pressure
How much sleep you need, how poor sleep affects your numbers, and signs of sleep apnea to tell your care team about.
See the topic →Stress and blood pressure
How stress affects your numbers, and calm skills you can practice every day.
See the topic →Medication: build a routine that sticks
How to remember your blood pressure medicine, what to ask your pharmacist, and which OTC products to check first.
See the topic →Appointments: make short visits count
What to bring, why home readings help, questions to ask, telehealth tips, and what to do after your visit.
See the topic →Library
All guides
12 guides and counting. Tell us what to write next on the community page.
Why is my blood pressure high at the doctor's office?
It may be white coat hypertension. Home readings show your real numbers.
Read the guide →Can you check your blood pressure anytime?
Yes, but checking at the same times each day gives numbers you can trust.
Read the guide →Is salt the only cause of high blood pressure?
Salt matters, but it is rarely the whole story. Here is what else raises blood pressure.
Read the guide →What to eat on the DASH diet
Foods to eat, foods to limit, serving sizes, and easy low-salt meal ideas.
Read the guide →Blood pressure basics: what the two numbers mean
What the top and bottom numbers mean, and why a pattern matters more than one reading.
Read the guide →Just told you have high blood pressure? Start here
What the diagnosis means, what usually happens next, and the first three things to do.
Read the guide →How to take an accurate blood pressure reading at home
The step-by-step checklist, plus why your numbers change and when not to panic.
Read the guide →Lower-sodium food that still tastes like food
Small swaps, label-reading shortcuts, and realistic starting points.
Read the guide →“I feel fine.” So why take blood pressure medicine?
Understand the goal of treatment and prepare questions for your clinician.
Read the guide →How to prepare for your next appointment
What to bring, what to ask, and how to make a short visit count.
Read the guide →When to call 911 about high blood pressure
The numbers and symptoms that mean you should get help now.
Read the guide →Helping someone you love manage blood pressure
How to support without taking over, and how to look after yourself too.
Read the guide →How we write our guides
- We use current guidance from primary sources like the American Heart Association, CDC, and National Institutes of Health, and we link to them.
- We write at about a 6th–7th grade reading level, and explain medical words when we use them.
- We never tell you to start, stop, or change a treatment. We help you prepare questions for the person who can.
- We review guides when guidance changes and show the date on every page.