Can You Get Treated for High Blood Pressure Online?

If you have hypertension (high blood pressure), you’re not alone. Nearly 120 million adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure. And most will need medication to treat it. The good news is that it’s possible to manage your blood pressure online using telemedicine. Online healthcare professionals can monitor your blood pressure, prescribe medications, and offer lifestyle tips.

What is high blood pressure?

High blood pressure happens when the force needed for the heart to pump blood to the rest of the body is too high. Without treatment, this can lead to serious conditions, such as:

• Heart attack

• Stroke

• Heart failure

• Vision loss

• Kidney disease or failure

• Angina (chest pain)

• Sexual problems

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)

High blood pressure often doesn’t cause any symptoms. So the only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked. Your healthcare team can do so during a routine visit, or you can do it yourself at home.

A blood pressure reading has two numbers: a systolic pressure (top number) and a diastolic pressure (bottom number). High blood pressure is when your systolic pressure is 130 or more or your diastolic pressure is 80 or more. 

Can a telehealth provider treat high blood pressure?

Yes, you can work with a telehealth professional online to manage high blood pressure. Research shows that telehealth is an effective way to monitor and treat high blood pressure. And it may help to improve your blood pressure and lower your risk of complications.

But you will need a way to check your blood pressure on your own. If you feel comfortable doing so, you can measure it yourself or go to a pharmacy. A telemedicine professional can remotely monitor your blood pressure readings and medications. They can also offer education on risk factors and lifestyle changes to help you lower your blood pressure.

Can you get blood pressure medication online?

Yes, telehealth professionals can prescribe blood pressure medication and refills online. They can send the prescription to your local pharmacy for you to pick up. And you can often get it the same day.

You can also save money by using a GoodRx discount for common high blood pressure medications like:

• Lisinopril (Zestril)

• Hydrochlorothiazide 

• Atenolol (Tenormin)

• Amlodipine (Norvasc) 

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• Been on your blood pressure medication a long time? Check this list of blood pressure medications that may need an upgrade. 

• What’s the best way to take your blood pressure medication? Find out the right time to take your medication to get the best effect.

If you don’t have a telemedicine professional yet, you can get a refill for your high blood pressure medication from GoodRx Care for a low fee.

How to prepare for your telemedicine blood pressure appointment

To get ready for your telemedicine visit, you’ll want to have key items ready. Here’s a list to help you prepare: 

• Talk to your health plan. Ask your insurance provider if they will cover a telemedicine visit for high blood pressure and what your out-of-pocket costs will be. Many plans cover telehealth visits, but you may have a copay.

• Book an appointment. Schedule a visit with a healthcare professional who treats hypertension. You can set up an appointment with your primary care provider if they offer online visits or find a telehealth app. Your insurance company may also have information on professionals who see patients online. Or they may even offer their own telehealth services.

• Test your technology. Find out if your visit will take place over the phone, text message, or a computer using a video conference platform. Make sure any software or app you download works on your device.

• Set up an ideal meeting place. A quiet room with good lighting and reliable internet or cell service will work well.

• Fill out forms and gather documents. Collect any items you may need before your visit. This includes your insurance, a list of your medical conditions and medications, and a government ID.

• Keep track of your blood pressure. Take your blood pressure daily for 1 to 2 weeks before your appointment. You can download a blood pressure log online, with an app, or use a notepad to record your measurements.

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How to measure your blood pressure at home

Home blood pressure monitoring is a great way to provide your online healthcare professional information to manage your blood pressure. To take your blood pressure yourself, you need a digital monitor. Follow these steps to get the most accurate blood pressure reading at home:

1. Avoid smoking, caffeine, and exercise for 30 minutes before you check it.

2. Sit still for 5 minutes. 

3. Place the cuff on your bare upper arm.

4. Place the forearm of your cuffed arm on a table at heart level.

5. Sit up straight with your feet flat on the floor.

6. Avoid talking.

7. After you take your blood pressure, wait 1 minute and take it again.

8. Write down your numbers, or enter them into your blood pressure app.

9. Take your blood pressure at the same time each day.

It’s also a good idea to take your blood pressure in both arms and write down both sets of numbers. Moving forward, use the arm with the higher blood pressure reading. This may help you better manage your blood pressure.

Which blood pressure medications are available over the counter?

Medications for high blood pressure aren’t available over the counter (OTC). They are only available with a prescription.

There are some ways to lower your blood pressure without medication, including OTC products. These include:

• Exercising

• Reducing salt and alcohol consumption

• Quitting smoking, if you smoke

• Reducing stress

• Taking OTC supplements

• Having certain drinks, like beet juice

Note that these steps may not be enough to lower your blood pressure to a healthy range, and lifestyle changes take months to work. So you may still need prescription medication. These methods are also not meant to safely lower your blood pressure if your numbers are dangerously high. It’s best to work with a healthcare professional, who can guide you on the best (and safest) ways to lower your numbers.

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Written by:

Ana Gascon

Ana Gascon has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, with 8 years in health and medical content work. She is a content creator who focuses on acute conditions, chronic diseases, mental health challenges, and health equity.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Mandy Armitage, MD

Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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