High Blood Pressure
Treatment Overview
Untreated high blood pressure can lead to fatal heart attacks or strokes. The higher your blood pressure, the greater your risk. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk of damaging blood vessels and getting atherosclerosis.
High blood pressure usually can't be cured. But it can be controlled. The two types of treatment for high blood pressure are:
- Lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, losing extra weight, and getting more active.
- Daily medicines.
For most people, the goal of treatment is to get the blood pressure below 140/90. But a person's goal may be lower. Your doctor will give you a blood pressure goal that is based on your health. For example, your goal may be lower if you have other conditions such as diabetes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or chronic kidney disease
Treating high blood pressure usually is a lifelong effort.
Treatment for high blood pressure Blood pressure
Treatment
Blood pressure of 120–139 over 80–89 (prehypertension):
Lifestyle changes.
High blood pressure of 140–159 over 90–99 (stage 1):
Lifestyle changes, possibly medicines.
High blood pressure of 160 over 100 or higher (stage 2):
Medicines plus lifestyle changes.
High blood pressure plus organ damage or other risk factors for heart disease:
Medicines plus serious lifestyle changes and treatment for the other health problems.
Medicines, treatment of the condition causing your high blood pressure, or both.
Treating high blood pressure with lifestyle changes
Your doctor may suggest that you make one or more of the following changes:
- Lose weight. If you're overweight, losing extra pounds may bring your blood pressure down. You'll also be less likely to have other weight-related problems, including heart disease, stroke, arthritis, diabetes, and some forms of cancer. For more information, see:
- Get more active. Physical activity reduces blood pressure, especially if you have been inactive until now. People who don't exercise are more likely to get high blood pressure. See:
- Stop smoking. Nicotine temporarily increases blood pressure and heart rate with each use. Smoking also causes the arteries to tighten (constrict), which also increases blood pressure. See:
- Cut back on drinking. Limit alcohol to 2 drinks
a day for men, 1 drink a day for women. See:
- Eat less salt. Eating less salt can help control high blood pressure in elderly people. See:
- Follow the DASH diet. The calcium, potassium, and magnesium found in fruits, vegetables, and dairy foods help lower blood pressure. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan can help you get the right amounts of these nutrients. See:
- A chart that compares DASH with other heart-healthy diets
(What is a PDF document?) .
One Woman's Story:
Izzy, 60
"I could never have imagined I could get (my blood pressure) down so low by losing weight. I feel sure it was the WAY I lost weight, with DASH."—Izzy
Treating high blood pressure with medicines
If lifestyle changes don't work to lower your blood pressure, you probably need to take daily medicines as well.
Medicines control—but usually don't cure—high blood pressure. So you will probably need to take them for the rest of your life. Most people need to take two or more medicines.
For more information, see:
Some people find it hard to take their medicines properly. They may fit into one of these groups:
- "Why should I bother?" These people don't see why they should take medicines every day when they don't feel sick.
- High blood pressure doesn't usually make you feel sick. But it's important to treat high blood pressure, because it damages your organs, even though you can't feel anything.
- "I don't like the side effects." These people stop taking their medicines because they are having side effects from the pills.
- If you're having side effects, tell your doctor. There are many kinds of medicines you can try until you find one that works well with the fewest side effects.
- "I just can't keep track." Some people find it very hard to keep track of taking two or more pills every day, especially if they need to take them at different times.
- Your doctor may be able to change your pill schedule to make it simpler. You can also organize your pills with a pillbox that holds a week's worth of pills. Some of these boxes have separate compartments for morning, noon, and bedtime pills.
For more information, see the topics:
One Man's Story:
Tyrell, 35
"I learned that it doesn't matter how healthy you feel—if you have high blood pressure, you're sick and you'd better do something about it."—Tyrell
Read more about Tyrell and why he started taking his medicines properly.
If you have trouble taking high blood pressure medicines for any reason, talk to your doctor.
For more information, see:
People who need special treatment
Some people with high blood pressure need special treatment:
- Older adults.
- African Americans.
- Children.
- Pregnant women.
- People with heart disease. They have a high risk for future heart problems. It's very important for them to get treatment for their high blood pressure.
Treatment of secondary high blood pressure depends on the cause. For example, treatment of high blood pressure caused by kidney disease will also include treating the kidney problem. Even if the condition that caused your high blood pressure is treated, you may still have to take blood pressure medicine throughout your life.
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| Author: | Robin Parks, MS Cynthia Tank | Last Updated: April 10, 2009 |
| Medical Review: | Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology | |
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