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High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?

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.

Get the facts

Your options

  • Start taking medicine for high blood pressure.
  • Try lifestyle changes first.

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

  • For some people, lifestyle changes may be enough to lower their blood pressure. Whether this is an option for you depends on how high your blood pressure is, whether you have other health problems, such as diabetes, and whether any of your organs have already been damaged. Your doctor may also consider how likely you are to develop other diseases, especially heart disease.
  • Lifestyle changes are as important as medicine in lowering blood pressure and lowering the risk for heart attack and stroke. Lifestyle changes include losing weight, eating healthy, being active, limiting sodium and alcohol, and not smoking.
  • If healthy habits aren't enough to bring your blood pressure down to your goal, your doctor may recommend that you take pills.
  • Most people who take pills for high blood pressure need to take two or more kinds of pills that work together.
  • Even with pills, you will need healthy habits for the rest of your life to lower your risk for heart attack and stroke.

FAQs

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Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.