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High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) - Treatment Overview
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENTS
- Overview
-
Health Tools
- FAQs
- Cause
- Symptoms
- What Happens
- What Increases Your Risk
- When to Call a Doctor
- Exams and Tests
- Treatment Overview
- Prevention
- Living With High Blood Pressure
- Medications
- Other Treatment
- Other Places To Get Help
- Related Information
- References
- Credits
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.
- 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.
Blood pressure | Treatment |
Blood pressure of 120–139 over 80–89 (prehypertension) | Lifestyle changes |
High blood pressure of 140–159 over 90–99 | Lifestyle changes, possibly medicines |
High blood pressure of 160 over 100 or higher | 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.
- Get more active. People who don't exercise are more likely to get high blood pressure.
- Stop smoking. Nicotine temporarily increases blood pressure and heart rate with each use.
- Cut back on drinking.
Limit alcohol to 2
drinks
a day for men, 1 drink a day for women. - Eat less salt. Eating less salt can help control high blood pressure in older people.
- Follow the DASH diet. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating plan can help you lower your blood pressure.
For tips on how to do these things, see the Living With High Blood Pressure section of this topic.
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 details, see the Medications section of this topic.
For more information, see:
Some people find it hard to take their medicines properly. They may feel it's too much trouble—especially when they don't feel sick. Or they're worried about side effects. Some people find it hard to keep track of when and how to take their medicines.
If you have trouble taking high blood pressure medicines for any reason, talk to your doctor.
For tips, see:
For more information, see these 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. |
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 4, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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