What is the downside of taking blood pressure medicine?

Most of the time, blood pressure medicines do not cause side effects. Some people have mild side effects, including dizziness, headaches, swelling in the legs or feet, or stomach problems.

What are the negatives about taking blood pressure medicine?

Used less often than other high blood pressure medications, these drugs can cause: Diarrhea. Dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness when standing up suddenly or getting up in the morning (from reduced blood pressure) Erection problems.

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 safest high blood pressure medication?

Methyldopa, which works to lower blood pressure through the central nervous system, has the lowest risk of harming the mother and developing fetus. Other possible safe options include labetalol, beta-blockers, and diuretics.

Do you have to stay on blood pressure tablets forever?

You may need to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. But your doctor might be able to reduce or stop your treatment if your blood pressure stays under control for several years.

When should you take your blood pressure medicine?

Can blood pressure be cured?

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.

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.

How can I lower my blood pressure without medication?

How can I lower my blood pressure naturally at home?

Is blood pressure medicine hard on your kidneys?

Long-term use of blood pressure drugs may cause kidney damage, study suggests. Summary: New kidney research is raising concerns that long-term use of ACE inhibitors and other drugs commonly prescribed to treat high-blood pressure and heart failure could be contributing to kidney damage.

How long do people live on blood pressure medication?

(HealthDay)—Tighter control of high blood pressure may add years to people's lives, a new study estimates. Researchers calculated that for a typical 50-year-old with high blood pressure, more aggressive treatment could translate into three extra years of life.

Can hypertension be cured naturally?

Unfortunately there is no cure for high blood pressure currently, but you can take steps to manage it even without medication. Here are 7 ways to lower your blood pressure naturally: Exercise! Regular exercise is great for your overall well-being, and it can also help with lowering your BP.

How long can a person live with treated high blood pressure?

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.

What are the pros and cons of blood pressure medicine?

The benefits of blood pressure medicines are clear: Blood pressure medicines can help you keep your blood pressure at healthy levels and therefore greatly reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. In general, the risks of taking blood pressure medicines are low. However, all medicines have risks.

Are blood pressure tablets safe?

Taking medicine at the wrong doses or times or stopping high blood pressure medicine suddenly can be downright dangerous to your health. If your blood pressure remains too high, you're more likely to develop other serious problems such as heart attacks, stroke, or kidney disease.

Can you have a stroke while on blood pressure medication?

Uncontrolled high blood pressure and taking too much blood thinner medicine can lead to this kind of stroke. Some people have what's called a transient ischemic attack (TIA). This "mini stroke" is due to a temporary blockage.

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 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.

What vitamins will lower blood pressure?

Antioxidant-rich foods may have a small impact on blood pressure levels. Foods high in vitamin C, vitamin E, potassium, selenium or L-arginine are good options if you're looking to lower your blood pressure.

Can you feel if your blood pressure is high?

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.

How can I bring my blood pressure down immediately?

If you are trying to rapidly lower your blood pressure at home, dial 9-1-1 immediately. You cannot safely treat dangerous high blood pressure at home. Your best move is to lie down flat and calm yourself until emergency help arrives.

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 5 causes of high blood pressure?