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High Blood Pressure - Medications

Deciding whether to treat high blood pressure with medicine and choosing the best medicine are based mainly on:

  • How high your blood pressure is.
  • Whether you have signs that high blood pressure has caused organ damage, such as an enlarged heart or early damage to your arteries, kidneys, or eyes.
  • Whether you have other medical conditions, such as coronary artery disease, diabetes, or kidney or lung disease or risk factors for heart disease, such as diabetes or high cholesterol.
  • Whether you think you can succeed at making lifestyle changes.

Doctors usually prescribe a single, low-dose medicine first. If blood pressure is not controlled, your doctor may change the dosage or try a different medicine or combination of medicines. It is common to try several medicines before blood pressure is successfully controlled. Many people need more than one medicine to get the best results. For more information, see:

High Blood Pressure: Should I Take Medicine?

Medicine Choices

Medicine choices include:

All of these medicines are effective for lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Work with your doctor to find the right medicine or combination of medicines that have the fewest side effects and work well for you, and be sure to take your medicines regularly as prescribed.

High Blood Pressure: Taking Medicines Properly

You may have regular blood tests to monitor how the medicine is working in your body. Your doctor will likely let you know when you need to have the tests.

One Man's Story:

Tyrell, 35

"For a few months I was really good about taking (my pills) every day. But they made me a little tired, and I got tired of being tired."-Tyrell

Read more about Tyrell and why he returned to taking his medicine every day.

What to Think About

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: August 19, 2011
This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.
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