What drugs are used to lower blood pressure?
There are several drugs that can lower blood pressure. The one chosen depends on such things as: if you have other medical problems; if you take other medication; possible side-effects of the drug; your age; your ethnic origin; etc. Some drugs work well in some people, and not so well in others. One or two drugs may be tried before one is found to suit.
One drug reduces high blood pressure to the target level in less than half of cases. It is common to need two or more different drugs to reduce high blood pressure to a target level. In about a third of cases, three drugs or more are needed to get blood pressure to the target level. In some cases, despite treatment, the target level is not reached. However, although to reach a target level is ideal, you will benefit from any reduction in blood pressure.
How long is medication needed for?
In most cases, medication is needed for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well controlled for three years or more, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, in people who have made significant changes to lifestyle (such as lost a lot of weight, or stopped heavy drinking, etc). Your doctor can advise.
If you stop medication, you should have regular blood pressure checks. In some cases the blood pressure remains normal. However, in others it starts to rise again. If this happens, medication can then be started again.
Smoking and high blood pressure
Smoking does not directly affect the level of your blood pressure. However, smoking greatly adds to your health risk if you already have high blood pressure. If you smoke, you should make every effort to stop. If you smoke and are having difficulty in stopping, then see your practice nurse for help and advice.
Further help and information
Blood Pressure Association 60 Cranmer Terrace, London, SW17 0QS Tel: 020 8772 4994 Web: www.bpassoc.org.ukHigh Blood Pressure Foundation Dept of Medical Sciences, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU Tel: 0131 332 9211 Web: www.hbpf.org.uk
© EMIS and PIP 2006 Updated: 4th March 2009 PRODIGY Validated
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Patricia Thompson, about 1 year
I take EMILAPRIL Maleate and BENDROFLUMETHIAZIDE, can i take the herb VALERIAN safely with these tablets. Thankyou.
Report this commentjohn p scully, about 1 year
i went to the practice nurse for a blood pressure check after about 8/9 months, it should have been 6months,but was busy looking after my mother who has had a 2nd knee replacement. the nurse said my blood pressure had gone up considerably since my last visit,and wanted to see me again in 2 weeeks. however i already had an appointment with my doctor regarding my mother`s knee .that was monday 7th january(last week),he took my blood pressure,which was ver high 163/104.he put me on more medication,`arnalapril`,but i had been working on reducing my blood pressure since seeeing the nurse.now today,my home blood pressure monitor shows it to be 119/71 after 6 days from seeing my doctor .with my new medication i eat porridge every morning,eat more fruit ,especially now pomegranates,and appple and/or pear each day + other fruits,i drink cocoa last thing before i go to sleep now, and just have a very brisk walk ,weather permitting.i always eat vegtables broccili etc,anyway just eat more fruit.
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Maya saxena, 6 months
This article is good giving basic information . Following information is further required 1. Blood pressure chart with respect to age 2. What to do when Blood pressure is 140/80 and pulse rate is between 52 to 62 for a pateint with three sten in heart
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