Managing Hypertension

Nearly half of adults in America have high blood pressure (hypertension or HBP). Blood pressure is considered high if it’s above 130/80¹. Because there are often no symptoms, many people are unaware that they have it. It’s important to get your blood pressure checked regularly, because stress, illness, and exercise can all cause fluctuations in your blood pressure.

While there are many things that can cause high blood pressure, some can be controlled and others cannot.

Related: What Is High Blood Pressure And What Causes It?

Monitor your blood pressure

If you have high blood pressure, it’s vital that you’re measuring and tracking your blood pressure on a regular basis. If you do not have a home blood pressure cuff, there are other ways to monitor your blood pressure. You can go to your pharmacy and have them check it for you. You can also ask your provider’s office if they will check it for you without an appointment.

Tracking your blood pressure

Monitoring your blood pressure is only half of the story. To really get a handle on your blood pressure numbers, you need to track it consistently. To track your blood pressure, you can use a printable pressure log, download a blood pressure tracking app on your phone, or write down and track your measurements on your own. However you choose to track your blood pressure, make sure you share your numbers with your doctor regularly.

Benefits built to support

If you don’t have an at-home blood pressure cuff, your Select Health plan benefits may be able to help pay for one.

·Select Health Medicare plans provide an Over-the-Counter (OTC) benefit that gives members money each quarter to purchase things like blood pressure cuffs.

·Select Health Community Care provides benefits to help cover the cost of a blood pressure cuff.

·Select Health Commercial plans’ benefits vary depending on plan. For those with a Health Savings Account (HSA), look into using your HSA dollars to purchase a blood pressure cuff for convenient testing at home.

Call Select Health Member Services at 800-538-5038 for questions about benefits and coverage.

Talk with your doctor

If you have not been diagnosed with hypertension but have frequent high blood pressure readings or symptoms like dizziness, headaches, and nose bleeds, you should talk with your doctor.

Need help finding a doctor? Call our Member Advocates team at 800-515-2220.

1 https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/high-blood-pressure/the-facts-about-high-blood-pressure

Note: Information on this page is not considered medical advice. Please contact your primary care doctor for specific medical care guidance and recommendations.