Blood pressure med?

A friend of mine once said that if someone starts taking blood pressure medication you basically have to keep taking them for life. Is this true?
Answer:
Of course it varies with the particular drug, but after a period on the drug, cessation would lead to a rebound effect where the blood pressure would increase - probably higher than it is naturally now.

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In general yes. Hypertension can be inherited and unavoidable. It can also be the results of life style. If this is the case and one reduces their sodium intake, increases their amount of exercise and looses weight, they may bring their BP down without the need for meds. Also, stress reduction, avoidance if smoking and drinking will benefit the effort.

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If your blood pressure has remained stubbornly high despite taking at least three medications from different classes of antihypertensive drugs, one of which is a diuretic, you may have resistant hypertension 鈥?blood pressure that is resistant to treatment.

This doesn't mean your blood pressure will never get lower. In fact, if you and your doctor can identify what's behind your persistently high blood pressure, there's a good chance you can meet your goal with the help of treatment that's more effective. You may need to see a hypertension specialist if your primary care doctor isn't able to pinpoint a cause.

Your doctor or hypertension specialist can evaluate whether the medications and doses you're taking for your high blood pressure are appropriate. You may have to fine-tune your medications to come up with the most effective combination and doses.

If you don't strictly follow the prescribed medication regimen, your blood pressure can pay the price. If you skip doses because you can't afford the medication, because you have disagreeable side effects or because you simply forget to take your medications, talk to your doctor about solutions. Don't alter your treatment without your doctor's guidance.

In addition, you and your doctor can review medications you're taking for other conditions. Those or other substances or foods can worsen high blood pressure or prevent your medications from working effectively. Be open and honest with your doctor about all the medications, substances, supplements and products you take. Underlying causes of resistant hypertension should also be considered such as sleep apnea and kidney or hormonal abnormalities.

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