Blood pressure medication -
While you might have fears and concerns, the long-term health consequences of uncontrolled high blood pressure are often worse than any medication side effects. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Everyone involved has the same priority — putting your health first. Treating high blood pressure requires time, patience and care by both you and your health care professional. The important thing is for you to communicate with your health care professional and to follow his or her course of treatment.
Written by American Heart Association editorial staff and reviewed by science and medicine advisors. See our editorial policies and staff. High Blood Pressure. The Facts About HBP. Understanding Blood Pressure Readings. Why HBP is a "Silent Killer". Health Threats from HBP. Changes You Can Make to Manage High Blood Pressure.
Baja Tu Presión. I really think I can do this. 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. 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. 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.
I've tried being more active and making other lifestyle changes, but it has not lowered my blood pressure enough. I don't want to take medicine, even if it might lower my risk of heart attack and stroke. 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. How sure do you feel right now about your decision? Use the following space to list questions, concerns, and next steps. Here's a record of your answers. You can use it to talk with your doctor or loved ones about your decision.
I'm not concerned about the side effects of blood pressure medicine. I want to do everything I can to prevent a heart attack or stroke.
Is it true that your doctor might recommend blood pressure medicine based on your health? Do you still need to make lifestyle changes if you are taking pills for high blood pressure?
Are you clear about which benefits and side effects matter most to you? Do you have enough support and advice from others to make a choice? Author: Healthwise Staff. Medical Review: E.
Rhoads MD - Internal Medicine. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, 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.
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Important Phone Numbers. High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine? Get the facts. Your options Start taking medicine for high blood pressure. Try lifestyle changes first. 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 will 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. 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. What is high blood pressure? What are the risks of not lowering your blood pressure? Risk factors for heart attack and stroke that you can change include: Having high blood pressure.
Having high cholesterol. Being overweight. Not exercising. Having diabetes that isn't under control.
Things you can't change include: Having a parent, sister, or brother with early heart disease before age 55 for men or before age 65 for women.
Being male. Your age. People older than age 65 are more likely to have heart disease. What is the treatment for high blood pressure?
The two types of treatment for high blood pressure are: Lifestyle changes. Daily medicines. This isn't common and can be managed by other treatment.
People with diabetes may find that diuretic drugs increase their blood sugar level. A change in medication, diet, insulin or oral anti-diabetic dosage corrects this in most cases. Impotence may occur. Beta-blockers Beta-blockers reduce the heart rate, the heart's workload and the heart's output of blood, which lowers blood pressure.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors ACE inhibitors Angiotensin is a chemical that causes the arteries to become narrow, especially in the kidneys but also throughout the body. If you're taking an ACE inhibitor or an ARB and think you might be pregnant, see your health care professional immediately.
These drugs have been shown to be dangerous to both mother and baby during pregnancy. They can cause low blood pressure, severe kidney failure, excess blood potassium hyperkalemia , fetal malformation and even death of the newborn.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs These drugs block the effects of angiotensin, a chemical that causes the arteries to become narrow. Medications that act directly on the renin-angiotensin system can cause injury or even death to a developing fetus.
When pregnancy is detected, consult your health care professional as soon as possible. Calcium channel blockers This drug prevents calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and arteries. Usually none of these symptoms are severe, and most will go away after a few weeks of treatment.
This drug isn't usually used by itself. Minoxidil is a potent drug that's usually used only in resistant cases of severe high blood pressure. It may cause fluid retention marked weight gain or excessive hair growth. Last Reviewed: Jun 7, The American Heart Association receives support from pharmaceutical and biotech companies, device manufacturers and health insurance providers whose products may be mentioned in this article.
The American Heart Association maintains strict policies preventing supporters from influencing science-based health information. A list of supporters can be found here.
Blood pressure medication to High Blood pressure medication pressure hypertension. Simple lifestyle changes medicaton help reduce high blood Polyphenols and joint health, although some people may need to take medicine as well. Your GP Muscular strength building plan advise you about changes you Teeth cleaning Blood pressure medication to your presshre and discuss msdication they msdication you'd benefit from medicine. This patient decision aid from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence NICE PDF, kb can also help you to understand your treatment options. Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make healthy lifestyle changes. Whether medicine is also recommended depends on your blood pressure reading and your risk of developing problems such as heart attacks or strokes. Your doctor will carry out some blood and urine tests, and ask questions about your health to determine your risk of other problems:. When blood pressure is high Muscular strength building plan, high blood pressure medication is lressure Blood pressure medication mediction of your treatment. Your health medkcation professional will also likely recommend Blood pressure medication changes Pfessure with your medication. You may even need more than one type of prescription medication to keep your blood pressure at a healthy level. Although taking medication for your high blood pressure may require some adjustments, your health care professional has your best interest in mind. How long will you have to take your medication? Perhaps for the rest of your life. Managing blood pressure is a lifelong commitment.
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