Methods and systems for external baroreflex activation allow a physician to characterize a patient's response to baroreflex activation prior to providing baroreflex activation therapy. Methods generally include applying a baroreflex activation stimulus to a patient, measuring one or more physiological parameters of the patient, and determining the extent to which the baroreflex activation causes a baroreflex response. Multiple stimuli of different intensities and/or from different locations may be compared. Systems include one or more external baroreflex activation devices and one or more physiological parameter measuring devices. Optionally, a system may also include one or more fully or partially implantable devices for providing baroreflex activation therapy.