Does blood pressure medication shorten your life?

Our study of a representative group of hypertensive men showed that despite treatment they had a significantly higher long term mortality from cardiovascular diseases than normotensive men.

What is the life expectancy of a person with high blood pressure?

For all-cause death, absolute excess risks ranged from 10.1 to 107.6 per 1000 in 25 years. For men with higher BP levels, ie, high-normal BP and stages 1, 2, and 3 hypertension, estimated life expectancy was shorter by 2.2, 4.1, 8.4, and 12.2 years, respectively, compared with men with normal BP.

What are the long term effects of taking blood pressure medication?

Over time, however, they can cause insomnia and sleep disorders, depression, poor circulation (in the form of cold hands and feet), and erectile dysfunction. As with diuretics, Beta Blockers can affect the sugar reading of diabetics, so it is important to check your readings often.

What is the downside of taking blood pressure medicine?

These medications may cause: Dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness when standing up suddenly or getting up in the morning (from reduced blood pressure) Fast heart rate.

What can I take instead of blood pressure medication?

High Blood Pressure: What You Need to Know About Medications

Is high blood pressure a death sentence?

Today, high blood pressure is a highly manageable disease; it is not a death sentence as it was in the past. But effective management requires vigilant monitoring and working with your healthcare provider.

Can high blood pressure be cured permanently?

There is no cure for high blood pressure. But treatment can lower blood pressure that is too high. If it is mild, high blood pressure may sometimes be brought under control by making changes to a healthier lifestyle.

Can you be healthy with high blood pressure?

You can have high blood pressure for years without any symptoms. Uncontrolled high blood pressure increases your risk of serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. Fortunately, high blood pressure can be easily detected.

Can drinking lots of water lower blood pressure?

Something as simple as keeping yourself hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day improves blood pressure. Water makes up 73% of the human heart,¹ so no other liquid is better at controlling blood pressure.

What is the highest blood pressure ever recorded?

The highest pressure recorded in an individual was 370/360. With slow exhalation, the mean BP was 198/175 when the same 100% maximum was lifted (p < . 005).

What is the main cause of high blood pressure?

Common factors that can lead to high blood pressure include: A diet high in salt, fat, and/or cholesterol. Chronic conditions such as kidney and hormone problems, diabetes, and high cholesterol. Family history, especially if your parents or other close relatives have high blood pressure.

Can you live a normal life with high blood pressure?

While it's theoretically possible that you can live a long life with high blood pressure, the odds are not in your favor. It makes more sense to heed your hypertension risks and learn how treatment can improve your hypertension prognosis and life expectancy.

How serious is stage 2 hypertension?

More-severe hypertension, stage 2 hypertension is a systolic pressure of 140 mm Hg or higher or a diastolic pressure of 90 mm Hg or higher. Hypertensive crisis. A blood pressure measurement higher than 180/120 mm Hg is an emergency situation that requires urgent medical care.

What exercises should be avoided with high blood pressure?

Exercises to avoid

For example, any exercise that is very intensive for short periods of time, such as sprinting or weightlifting. They raise your blood pressure very quickly and put too much strain on your heart and blood vessels.

How do I get rid of my blood pressure forever?

What are the 4 stages of hypertension?

High blood pressure is classified in one of several categories — and those designations can influence treatment. Doctors classify blood pressure into four categories: normal, prehypertension (mild), stage 1 (moderate) and stage 2 (severe).

What are the chances of dying from high blood pressure?

Raised blood pressure (BP) is responsible for 7.6 million deaths per annum worldwide (13.5% of the total), more than any other risk factors. Around 54% of stroke and 47% of coronary heart disease are attributable to high BP. Over 80% of this burden occurs in low and middle income countries (LMIC).

What is stroke level blood pressure?

A hypertensive crisis is a severe increase in blood pressure that can lead to a stroke. Extremely high blood pressure — a top number (systolic pressure) of 180 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) or higher or a bottom number (diastolic pressure) of 120 mm Hg or higher — can damage blood vessels.

Should I worry about stage 1 hypertension?

Read More About High Blood Pressure Prevention »

If your blood pressure is between 140/90 and 159/99, you have stage 1 hypertension and need treatment. Stage 2 hypertension is 160/100 or higher. And if your blood pressure is higher than 180/110, you need emergency care.

How long can you live with hypertension Stage 2?

If left untreated, a blood pressure of 180/120 or higher results in an 80% chance of death within one year, with an average survival rate of ten months. Prolonged, untreated high blood pressure can also lead to heart attack, stroke, blindness, and kidney disease.

Can you reverse the damage of high blood pressure?

With hypertension, you'll be at a higher risk for a heart attack, stroke or other conditions. But, the good news is, while you may not be able to reverse the damage already done by having high blood pressure, you can reverse the condition and save your body from further harm.

When should you stop taking blood pressure medication?

Your healthcare provider may decide to lower your dose — or stop your medication completely — if your blood pressure has been well-controlled for some time, typically after at least 1 year.

How do you feel when you have high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is mostly a silent disease

Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms. Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure.

Does coffee raise blood pressure?

Caffeine may cause a short, but dramatic increase in your blood pressure, even if you don't have high blood pressure. It's unclear what causes this spike in blood pressure. The blood pressure response to caffeine differs from person to person.