You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. Show
High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?
Get the factsYour options
If your blood pressure is very high—higher than 160/100, or when either number is higher—you don't have a decision to make. You definitely need medicine to lower your blood pressure. Key points to remember
FAQs Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it moves through your body. It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down during the day. But if it stays up when you are resting, you have high blood pressure. Adult blood pressure is sorted into three types:
The top and bottom numbers are both important. High blood pressure means the top number is 140 or higher or the bottom number is 90 or higher, or both. When blood pressure is higher than normal most of the time, it starts to damage the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other problems. Anything that increases your risk for a disease or problem is called a risk factor. High blood pressure is just one of several risk factors that make heart attack and stroke more likely. If you have high blood pressure plus another risk factor, heart attack and stroke are even more likely. Some risk factors are things you can change. Others you can't. Risk factors for heart attack and stroke that you can change include:
Things you can't change include:
High blood pressure usually can't be cured. But it can be controlled. The two types of treatment for high blood pressure are:
Your doctor will give you a blood pressure goal. Your goal will be based on your health. Your blood pressure goal can help you prevent problems caused by high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is just a little high, and your overall risk for health problems such as heart disease is low, you may choose to try to lower your blood pressure with lifestyle changes without taking pills. If healthy habits aren't enough to bring your blood pressure down to your goal, your doctor may recommend that you take pills. If your blood pressure is more than a little high, or you have other risk factors, you may want to consider taking pills in addition to lifestyle changes. The higher your blood pressure, the more benefit you will get from taking medicines. Why are lifestyle changes so helpful?Changes in lifestyle can help control high blood pressure. You may be able to avoid taking pills. If you are already taking blood pressure medicine, making some lifestyle changes may let you take a lower dose. The combination of lifestyle changes and medicine will have the biggest effect on lowering your risk of heart attack or stroke.
For most people, it takes time and patience to replace old habits with new ones. You may need to take blood pressure pills until you decide you are ready to make lifestyle changes. If you decide to try lifestyle changes first, you and your doctor may want to set a deadline. For example, you might decide that you will try lifestyle changes for 3 to 6 months. Then, if your blood pressure does not come down enough in that time, you may decide to start taking pills. Your doctor may advise you to take medicine for high blood pressure if:
Compare your options
Take medicine for high blood pressureTake medicine for high blood pressure
Try lifestyle changes firstTry lifestyle changes first
After my doctor told me my blood pressure was too high, she suggested I try to bring it down by changing some of my habits. I ate less salt, lost a little weight, and started a walking program. That made me feel healthier, but it didn't bring my blood pressure down very much. Now I take two kinds of blood pressure medicine as well as keeping up with my lifestyle changes. Everything is under control. Terrence, age 59 I just found out I have high blood pressure. I want to try to make some lifestyle changes before I start taking medicine. I know I need to start out by making small changes and sticking with them. I'm going to start by walking 15 minutes 5 days a week and cutting down on salt by looking for other ways to season my food. After 2 weeks of that, I'll add some more goals and walk a little longer. I really think I can do this. Magda, age 45 My doctor thinks I might be able to control my blood pressure by losing weight and getting more exercise. I started a diet but I wasn't sure I'd be able to lose weight. And I worry about having a heart attack because of my family history. So I decided to start taking medicine right away. I'll also try to eat healthier and start walking. Paolo, age 51 About 6 years ago I found out my blood pressure was a little too high. I was a little overweight, and I didn't get much exercise. So I went on a diet and started going to the gym regularly. I was very motivated, because I did not want to have to take medicine if I could avoid it. It worked. My blood pressure came down and has stayed down. Hanh, age 64 What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take medicines for high blood pressure Reasons to try lifestyle changes first I've tried being more active and making other lifestyle changes, but it has not lowered my blood pressure enough. I feel confident that I can succeed at making lifestyle changes. More important Equally important More important I'm not concerned about the side effects of blood pressure medicine. I'm worried about the side effects of pills. More important Equally important More important
I want to do everything I can to prevent a heart attack or stroke. I don't want to take medicine, even if it might lower my risk of heart attack and stroke. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine Trying lifestyle changes first Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward What else do you need to make your decision?Certainty
1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Your SummaryHere's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision. Next stepsWhich way you're leaningHow sure you areYour commentsKey concepts that you understoodKey concepts that may need reviewPatient choicesCredits
You may want to have a say in this decision, or you may simply want to follow your doctor's recommendation. Either way, this information will help you understand what your choices are so that you can talk to your doctor about them. High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
1. Get the FactsYour options
If your blood pressure is very high—higher than 160/100, or when either number is higher—you don't have a decision to make. You definitely need medicine to lower your blood pressure. Key points to remember
FAQs What is high blood pressure?Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the blood pushes against the walls of your arteries as it moves through your body. It's normal for blood pressure to go up and down during the day. But if it stays up when you are resting, you have high blood pressure. Adult blood pressure is sorted into three types:
The top and bottom numbers are both important. High blood pressure means the top number is 140 or higher or the bottom number is 90 or higher, or both. What are the risks of not lowering your blood pressure?When blood pressure is higher than normal most of the time, it starts to damage the blood vessels, heart, and kidneys. This can lead to heart attack, stroke, and other problems. Anything that increases your risk for a disease or problem is called a risk factor. High blood pressure is just one of several risk factors that make heart attack and stroke more likely. If you have high blood pressure plus another risk factor, heart attack and stroke are even more likely. Some risk factors are things you can change. Others you can't. Risk factors for heart attack and stroke that you can change include:
Things you can't change include:
What is the treatment for high blood pressure?High blood pressure usually can't be cured. But it can be controlled. The two types of treatment for high blood pressure are:
Your doctor will give you a blood pressure goal. Your goal will be based on your health. Your blood pressure goal can help you prevent problems caused by high blood pressure. If your blood pressure is just a little high, and your overall risk for health problems such as heart disease is low, you may choose to try to lower your blood pressure with lifestyle changes without taking pills. If healthy habits aren't enough to bring your blood pressure down to your goal, your doctor may recommend that you take pills. If your blood pressure is more than a little high, or you have other risk factors, you may want to consider taking pills in addition to lifestyle changes. The higher your blood pressure, the more benefit you will get from taking medicines. Why are lifestyle changes so helpful?Changes in lifestyle can help control high blood pressure. You may be able to avoid taking pills. If you are already taking blood pressure medicine, making some lifestyle changes may let you take a lower dose. The combination of lifestyle changes and medicine will have the biggest effect on lowering your risk of heart attack or stroke.
For most people, it takes time and patience to replace old habits with new ones. You may need to take blood pressure pills until you decide you are ready to make lifestyle changes. If you decide to try lifestyle changes first, you and your doctor may want to set a deadline. For example, you might decide that you will try lifestyle changes for 3 to 6 months. Then, if your blood pressure does not come down enough in that time, you may decide to start taking pills. Why might your doctor recommend taking medicine for high blood pressure?Your doctor may advise you to take medicine for high blood pressure if:
2. Compare your options
Personal storiesPersonal stories about taking medicine for high blood pressureThese stories are based on information gathered from health professionals and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions. "After my doctor told me my blood pressure was too high, she suggested I try to bring it down by changing some of my habits. I ate less salt, lost a little weight, and started a walking program. That made me feel healthier, but it didn't bring my blood pressure down very much. Now I take two kinds of blood pressure medicine as well as keeping up with my lifestyle changes. Everything is under control." — Terrence, age 59 "I just found out I have high blood pressure. I want to try to make some lifestyle changes before I start taking medicine. I know I need to start out by making small changes and sticking with them. I'm going to start by walking 15 minutes 5 days a week and cutting down on salt by looking for other ways to season my food. After 2 weeks of that, I'll add some more goals and walk a little longer. I really think I can do this." — Magda, age 45 "My doctor thinks I might be able to control my blood pressure by losing weight and getting more exercise. I started a diet but I wasn't sure I'd be able to lose weight. And I worry about having a heart attack because of my family history. So I decided to start taking medicine right away. I'll also try to eat healthier and start walking." — Paolo, age 51 "About 6 years ago I found out my blood pressure was a little too high. I was a little overweight, and I didn't get much exercise. So I went on a diet and started going to the gym regularly. I was very motivated, because I did not want to have to take medicine if I could avoid it. It worked. My blood pressure came down and has stayed down." — Hanh, age 64 3. What matters most to you?Your personal feelings are just as important as the medical facts. Think about what matters most to you in this decision, and show how you feel about the following statements. Reasons to take medicines for high blood pressure Reasons to try lifestyle changes first I've tried being more active and making other lifestyle changes, but it has not lowered my blood pressure enough. I feel confident that I can succeed at making lifestyle changes. More important Equally important More important I'm not concerned about the side effects of blood pressure medicine. I'm worried about the side effects of pills. More important Equally important More important I want to do everything I can to prevent a heart attack or stroke. I don't want to take medicine, even if it might lower my risk of heart attack and stroke. More important Equally important More important My other important reasons: My other important reasons: More important Equally important More important 4. Where are you leaning now?Now that you've thought about the facts and your feelings, you may have a general idea of where you stand on this decision. Show which way you are leaning right now. Taking medicine Trying lifestyle changes first Leaning toward Undecided Leaning toward 5. What else do you need to make your decision?Check the facts1. Is it true that your doctor might recommend blood pressure medicine based on your health?
You're right. Your doctor might recommend that you take medicine if you have very high blood pressure or if you have organ damage or other health problems such as diabetes. 2. Do you still need to make lifestyle changes if you are taking pills for high blood pressure?
You're right. Even with pills, you will need healthy habits for the rest of your life to lower your risk for heart attack and stroke. 3. Do lifestyle changes lower blood pressure for everyone?
You are right. Lifestyle changes can help everyone lower blood pressure. But some people cannot lower their blood pressure enough with lifestyle changes alone. Your doctor may also recommend that you take medicine to help lower your blood pressure. Decide what's next1. Do you understand the options available to you?
2. Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you?
3. Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice?
Certainty1. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Not sure at all Somewhat sure Very sure 2. Check what you need to do before you make this decision.
3. Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Credits
Note: The "printer friendly" document will not contain all the information available in the online document some Information (e.g. cross-references to other topics, definitions or medical illustrations) is only available in the online version. Should I stop taking blood pressure medication if my blood pressure is low?Don't change or stop taking your medication without first talking to your care provider. If it's not clear what's causing low blood pressure or no treatment exists, the goal is to raise blood pressure and reduce symptoms.
What happens if you have high blood pressure and don't take medication?Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure and other heart conditions; cause damage to your kidneys, memory and vision; and contribute to erectile dysfunction.
How do you know when you don't need blood pressure medication anymore?120 to 129/less than 80 (Elevated): You probably don't need medication. Your blood pressure is higher than you want, but it's not full-on high blood pressure. Unless you also have another health condition -- like kidney disease or heart problems -- your doctor will likely say you don't need drugs for now.
Should I skip my blood pressure medicine if my blood pressure is normal?Since they're used so frequently, it's only natural to forget a dose or two every now and then. So, for the most part, it's OK (and not uncommon) to miss a day or two of your blood pressure medication. However, try to not make it a habit.
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