If you're overweight, losing even 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) can lower your blood pressure. As you slim down, it may be possible to reduce your dose of blood pressure medication — or stop taking your blood pressure medication completely. Don't make changes to your blood pressure medication on your own, however. Do so only after getting your doctor's OK.
Remember, high blood pressure isn't a problem you can treat and then ignore. Even if you're able to stop taking blood pressure medication, it's still important to maintain healthy habits. Here's how:
- Eat a healthy diet — the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet is an effective eating plan for lowering blood pressure.
- Get 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.
- Limit alcohol.
- Quit smoking.
- Schedule regular checkups with your doctor to make sure you're keeping your blood pressure in check.
Show References
- Whelton PK, Carey RM, Aronow WS, et al. 2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the prevention, detection, evaluation, and management of high blood pressure in adults: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2018;71:e127.
- Jurich R, et al. Role of nutrition and exercise programs in reducing blood pressure: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019;8: E1393.
- Cuspidi C, et al. Treatment of hypertension: The ESH/ESC guidelines recommendations. Pharmacological Research. 2018;128:315.
- Your guide to lowering blood pressure with DASH. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/resources/heart/hbp-dash-index. Accessed Jan. 31, 2020.
- Elliott WJ, et al. Can drug therapy be discontinued in well-controlled hypertension? https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 31, 2020.
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/blood-pressure-medication/FAQ-20058056