Rigorous trials show that eating strategies such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet, DASH variants like the OmniHeart diet, and Mediterranean-type diets lower blood pressure in people with hypertension high blood pressure and those headed in that direction.

They also help prevent some of the feared consequences of high blood pressure. Hypertension is the ultimate stealth condition. You'd never know you have it without having your blood pressure measured — or until high blood pressure begins to damage vital organs. Half of the 65 million American adults with high blood pressure don't have it under control.

That's worrisome given the insidious consequences of high blood pressure. It is the leading cause of stroke in the United States.

It contributes to thousands of heart attacks. It overworks heart muscle, leading to heart failure. It damages the kidneys, erodes sight, interferes with memory, puts a damper on sexual activity, and steals years of life.

Drugs that lower blood pressure tend to work well. But they don't necessarily attack the cause of the problem. And no matter how safe they are, all drugs can have some unwanted or unintended side effects.

A healthful diet is an effective first-line defense for preventing high blood pressure. It is an excellent initial treatment when blood pressure creeps into the unhealthy zone, and a perfect partner for medications. Unfortunately, translating the dietary strategies tested in clinical trials into diets for daily life hasn't been easy.

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So it is critically important to both be consistent with decreased sodium intake and patient when assessing for improvement.

This is a very common question. A lot of people want to avoid medication if they can, when trying to reduce their blood pressure. A few ways have been shown scientifically to reduce blood pressure. The first, and perhaps most important, is to stay physically active. Losing weight also can be important in a lot of different people.

Limiting alcohol, reducing sodium intake, and increasing dietary potassium intake can all help. There's not one best medication for the treatment of hypertension for everyone. Because an individual's historical and present medical conditions must be considered.

Additionally, every person has a unique physiology. Assessing how certain physiological forces may be present to contribute to the hypertension in an individual allows for a rational approach to medication choice. Antihypertensive medications are grouped by class.

Each class of medication differs from the other classes by the way it lowers blood pressure. For instance, diuretics, no matter the type, act to reduce the body's total content of salt and water. This leads to reduction in plasma volume within the blood vessels and consequently a lower blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers reduce the relative constriction of blood vessels. This reduced vasoconstriction also promotes a lower blood pressure. Other classes of antihypertensive medication act in their own ways.

Considering your health conditions, physiology, and how each medication works, your doctor can advise the safest and most effective medication for you. Following the correction of blood pressure or the institution of certain blood pressure medications, it's pretty common to see changes in the markers for kidney function on blood tests.

However, small changes in these markers, which reflects small changes in kidney filtration performance shouldn't necessarily be interpreted as absolute evidence of kidney harm.

Your doctor can interpret changes in laboratory tests following any change in medication. Keep an open dialogue with your medical team about your goals and personal preferences. Communication, trust and collaboration are key to long-term success managing your blood pressure.

Never hesitate to ask your medical team any questions or concerns you have. Being informed makes all the difference. Thanks for your time and we wish you well. To diagnose high blood pressure, your health care provider examines you and asks questions about your medical history and any symptoms.

Your provider listens to your heart using a device called a stethoscope. Your blood pressure is checked using a cuff, usually placed around your arm.

It's important that the cuff fits. If it's too big or too small, blood pressure readings can vary. The cuff is inflated using a small hand pump or a machine. A blood pressure reading measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats top number, called systolic pressure and between heartbeats bottom number, called diastolic pressure.

To measure blood pressure, an inflatable cuff is usually placed around the arm. A machine or small hand pump is used to inflate the cuff. In this image, a machine records the blood pressure reading. This is called an automated blood pressure measurement.

The first time your blood pressure is checked, it should be measured in both arms to see if there's a difference. After that, the arm with the higher reading should be used.

Blood pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury mm Hg. A blood pressure reading has two numbers. A diagnosis of high blood pressure is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken on separate occasions. Blood pressure is grouped according to how high it is.

This is called staging. Staging helps guide treatment. Sometimes the bottom blood pressure reading is normal less than 80 mm Hg but the top number is high. This is called isolated systolic hypertension. It's a common type of high blood pressure in people older than If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend tests to check for a cause.

Your health care provider may ask you to regularly check your blood pressure at home. Home monitoring is a good way to keep track of your blood pressure. It helps your care providers know if your medicine is working or if your condition is getting worse.

For the most reliable blood pressure measurement, the American Heart Association recommends using a monitor with a cuff that goes around your upper arm, when available. Devices that measure your blood pressure at your wrist or finger aren't recommended by the American Heart Association because they can provide less reliable results.

Changing your lifestyle can help control and manage high blood pressure. Your health care provider may recommend that you make lifestyle changes including:.

Sometimes lifestyle changes aren't enough to treat high blood pressure. If they don't help, your provider may recommend medicine to lower your blood pressure. The type of medicine used to treat hypertension depends on your overall health and how high your blood pressure is.

Two or more blood pressure drugs often work better than one. It can take some time to find the medicine or combination of medicines that works best for you.

When taking blood pressure medicine, it's important to know your goal blood pressure level. The ideal blood pressure goal can vary with age and health conditions, particularly if you're older than age Water pills diuretics. These drugs help remove sodium and water from the body.

They are often the first medicines used to treat high blood pressure. There are different classes of diuretics, including thiazide, loop and potassium sparing. Which one your provider recommends depends on your blood pressure measurements and other health conditions, such as kidney disease or heart failure.

Diuretics commonly used to treat blood pressure include chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide Microzide and others. A common side effect of diuretics is increased urination. Urinating a lot can reduce potassium levels. A good balance of potassium is necessary to help the heart beat correctly.

If you have low potassium hypokalemia , your provider may recommend a potassium-sparing diuretic that contains triamterene. Calcium channel blockers. These drugs help relax the muscles of the blood vessels. Some slow your heart rate.

They include amlodipine Norvasc , diltiazem Cardizem, Tiazac, others and others. Calcium channel blockers may work better for older people and Black people than do angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors alone. Don't eat or drink grapefruit products when taking calcium channel blockers.

Grapefruit increases blood levels of certain calcium channel blockers, which can be dangerous. Talk to your provider or pharmacist if you're concerned about interactions. If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medicines, your provider may prescribe:.

Beta blockers. These medicines reduce the workload on the heart and widen the blood vessels. This helps the heart beat slower and with less force. Beta blockers include atenolol Tenormin , metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Kapspargo sprinkle and others.

Beta blockers aren't usually recommended as the only medicine prescribed. They may work best when combined with other blood pressure drugs. Renin inhibitors. Aliskiren Tekturna slows the production of renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that starts a chain of chemical steps that increases blood pressure.

Due to a risk of serious complications, including stroke, you shouldn't take aliskiren with ACE inhibitors or ARBs. Always take blood pressure medicines as prescribed. Never skip a dose or abruptly stop taking blood pressure medicines.

Suddenly stopping certain ones, such as beta blockers, can cause a sharp increase in blood pressure called rebound hypertension. If you skip doses because of cost, side effects or forgetfulness, talk to your care provider about solutions.

Don't change your treatment without your provider's guidance. Having resistant hypertension doesn't mean your blood pressure will never get lower. If you and your provider can determine the cause, a more effective treatment plan can be created.

If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, discuss with your care providers how to control blood pressure during your pregnancy. Researchers have been studying the use of heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that may play a role in resistant hypertension.

The method is called renal denervation. Early studies showed some benefit. But more-robust studies found that it doesn't significantly lower blood pressure in people with resistant hypertension. More research is underway to determine what role, if any, this therapy may have in treating hypertension.

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. A commitment to a healthy lifestyle can help prevent and manage high blood pressure.

Try these heart-healthy strategies:. Get more exercise. Regular exercise keeps the body healthy. It can lower blood pressure, ease stress, manage weight and reduce the risk of chronic health conditions. Aim to get at least minutes a week of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes a week of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of the two.

If you have high blood pressure, consistent moderate- to high-intensity workouts can lower your top blood pressure reading by about 11 mm Hg and the bottom number by about 5 mm Hg. Diet and exercise are the best ways to lower blood pressure.

But some supplements are promoted as heart healthy. These supplements include:. Researchers are also studying whether vitamin D can reduce blood pressure, but evidence is conflicting.

More research is needed. Talk to your care provider before adding any supplements to your blood pressure treatment. Some can interact with medicines, causing harmful side effects that could be life-threatening. Deep breathing or mindfulness are alterative medicine techniques that can help you relax.

These practices may temporarily reduce blood pressure. High blood pressure isn't something that you can treat and then ignore. It's a condition that requires regular health checkups. Some things you can do to help manage the condition are:. If you think you may have high blood pressure, make an appointment with your health care provider for a blood pressure test.

You might want to wear a short-sleeved shirt to your appointment so it's easier to place the blood pressure cuff around your arm. No special preparations are necessary for a blood pressure test. To get an accurate reading, avoid caffeine, exercise and tobacco for at least 30 minutes before the test.

Because some medicines can raise blood pressure, bring a list of all medicines, vitamins and other supplements you take and their doses to your medical appointment.

Don't stop taking any medicines without your provider's advice. Appointments can be brief. Because there's often a lot to discuss, it's a good idea to be prepared for your appointment.

Here's some information to help you get ready. Preparing a list of questions can help you and your provider make the most of your time together. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.

For high blood pressure, some basic questions to ask your provider include:. Your health care provider is likely to ask you questions. Being ready to answer them may reserve time to go over any points you want to spend more time on. Your provider may ask:.

It's never too early to make healthy lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating healthy foods and getting more exercise. These are the main ways to protect yourself against high blood pressure and its complications, including heart attack and stroke.

On this page. Self care. Alternative medicine. Coping and support. Preparing for your appointment. Hypertension FAQs. Leslie Thomas, M. Show Transcript. What is the best way to measure my blood pressure at home? What could be causing my blood pressure to be quite erratic? Should I restrict salt to reduce my blood pressure?

How can I lower my blood pressure without medication? What is the best medication to take for hypertension?

Are certain blood pressure medications harmful to my kidneys? How can I be the best partner to my medical team? Blood pressure measurement. Top number, called systolic pressure. The first, or upper, number measures the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats. Bottom number, called diastolic pressure.

The second, or lower, number measures the pressure in the arteries between heartbeats. Stage 1 hypertension. The top number is between and mm Hg or the bottom number is between 80 and 89 mm Hg. Stage 2 hypertension.

The top number is mm Hg or higher or the bottom number is 90 mm Hg or higher. Tests If you are diagnosed with high blood pressure, your provider may recommend tests to check for a cause.

Ambulatory monitoring. A longer blood pressure monitoring test may be done to check blood pressure at regular times over six or 24 hours. This is called ambulatory blood pressure monitoring.

However, the devices used for the test aren't available in all medical centers. Check with your insurer to see if ambulatory blood pressure monitoring is a covered service.

Lab tests. Blood and urine tests are done to check for conditions that can cause or worsen high blood pressure. For example, tests are done to check your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. You may also have lab tests to check your kidney, liver and thyroid function.

Electrocardiogram ECG or EKG. This quick and painless test measures the heart's electrical activity.

It can tell how fast or how slow the heart is beating. During an electrocardiogram ECG , sensors called electrodes are attached to the chest and sometimes to the arms or legs.

Wires connect the sensors to a machine, which prints or displays results. This noninvasive exam uses sound waves to create detailed images of the beating heart. It shows how blood moves through the heart and heart valves. Taking your blood pressure at home Your health care provider may ask you to regularly check your blood pressure at home.

Home blood pressure monitors are available at local stores and pharmacies. More Information. Blood pressure chart. Blood pressure test. Your health care provider may recommend that you make lifestyle changes including: Eating a heart-healthy diet with less salt Getting regular physical activity Maintaining a healthy weight or losing weight Limiting alcohol Not smoking Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily Sometimes lifestyle changes aren't enough to treat high blood pressure.

Medications The type of medicine used to treat hypertension depends on your overall health and how high your blood pressure is. Medicines used to treat high blood pressure include: Water pills diuretics. Angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitors. These drugs help relax blood vessels. They block the formation of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels.

Examples include lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril , benazepril Lotensin , captopril and others. Angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs. These drugs also relax blood vessels. They block the action, not the formation, of a natural chemical that narrows blood vessels. angiotensin II receptor blockers ARBs include candesartan Atacand , losartan Cozaar and others.

Other medicines sometimes used to treat high blood pressure If you're having trouble reaching your blood pressure goal with combinations of the above medicines, your provider may prescribe: Alpha blockers.

These medicines reduce nerve signals to blood vessels. They help lower the effects of natural chemicals that narrow blood vessels.

Alpha blockers include doxazosin Cardura , prazosin Minipress and others. Alpha-beta blockers. Alpha-beta blockers block nerve signals to blood vessels and slow the heartbeat. They reduce the amount of blood that must be pumped through the vessels.

Alpha-beta blockers include carvedilol Coreg and labetalol Trandate. Aldosterone antagonists. These drugs may be used to treat resistant hypertension.

They block the effect of a natural chemical that can lead to salt and fluid buildup in the body. Examples are spironolactone Aldactone and eplerenone Inspra. These medicines stop the muscles in the artery walls from tightening.

This prevents the arteries from narrowing. Examples include hydralazine and minoxidil. Central-acting agents. These medicines prevent the brain from telling the nervous system to increase the heart rate and narrow the blood vessels.

Examples include clonidine Catapres, Kapvay , guanfacine Intuniv and methyldopa. Treating resistant hypertension You may have resistant hypertension if: You take at least three different blood pressure drugs, including a diuretic.

But your blood pressure remains stubbornly high. You're taking four different medicines to control high blood pressure. Your care provider should check for a possible second cause of the high blood pressure.

Treating resistant hypertension may involve many steps, including: Changing blood pressure medicines to find the best combination and dosage. Reviewing all your medicines, including those bought without a prescription.

Checking blood pressure at home to see if medical appointments cause high blood pressure. This is called white coat hypertension. Eating healthy, managing weight and making other recommended lifestyle changes. High blood pressure during pregnancy If you have high blood pressure and are pregnant, discuss with your care providers how to control blood pressure during your pregnancy.

Potential future treatments Researchers have been studying the use of heat to destroy specific nerves in the kidney that may play a role in resistant hypertension.

Request an appointment. Alpha blockers. Angiotensin II receptor blockers. Show more related information. Choosing blood pressure medicines. Beta blockers: Do they cause weight gain?

Beta blockers: How do they affect exercise? Blood pressure medications: Can they raise my triglycerides? Calcium supplements: Do they interfere with blood pressure drugs? Diuretics: A cause of low potassium? From Mayo Clinic to your inbox. Sign up for free and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips, current health topics, and expertise on managing health.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Clinical trials. Try these heart-healthy strategies: Eat healthy foods. Eat a healthy diet. Try the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension DASH diet. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, poultry, fish and low-fat dairy foods.

Get plenty of potassium from natural sources, which can help lower blood pressure.