High Blood Pressure Treatment

High blood pressure treatment usually begins with lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and increasing physical activity. Other lifestyle changes that can play a part in high blood pressure treatment include following a low-sodium diet. If lifestyle changes alone are not enough to lower blood pressure to a normal level, high blood pressure treatment may include medications such as beta blockers.

 

High Blood Pressure Treatment: An Overview

High blood pressure is common in the United States. About 65 million American adults -- nearly 1 in 3 -- have high blood pressure.
 

What Is High Blood Pressure Treatment?

High blood pressure treatment used to control the condition begins with lifestyle changes. For a lot of people, this is the only high blood pressure treatment necessary. These lifestyle changes include:
 
  • Losing weight if overweight (losing 10 pounds can help)
  • Increasing physical activity (walking 30 minutes per day can help)
  • Following a healthy eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy foods (see DASH Diet)
  • Choosing and preparing foods with less salt and sodium
  • Drinking alcoholic beverages in moderation.
     
If lifestyle changes alone are not sufficient high blood pressure treatment, blood pressure medication may be prescribed.
 

Blood Pressure Medication as a High Blood Pressure Treatment

In addition to lifestyle changes, high blood pressure treatment for some people may include blood pressure medication.
 There are many types of high blood pressure medication, and each one works in a slightly different way. People often react to medicine in different ways, so you may need to try a few different types of high blood pressure medication before your doctor finds the best medicine for you.
 
If your healthcare provider prescribes medication as part of your high blood pressure treatment, be sure to take your pills exactly as directed. Even if you feel well, you still need to take your medicine. It is impossible to feel the damage that could be occurring inside of your body until it is too late.
(High Blood Pressure Treatment Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Arthur Schoenstadt, MD