You and your health care provider have options for treating your high blood pressure.

Many people can lower their blood pressure significantly with lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and exercise, but most still need medication to keep their blood pressure in the healthy range.

Whichever therapy you choose, it is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly to make sure that your treatment is working.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a leading cause of heart disease, heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure, vision problems, and stroke.

The management and control of high blood pressure involves 2 major options, lifestyle modification and medications.

Lifestyle options include changing what you eat and your activity level.

Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol consumption will also help keep your blood pressure in the healthy range.

If you are overweight or obese, lose weight. Aim for a healthy weight range for your height and body type. Your health care provider can help you calculate a target weight.

Even a small amount of weight loss can make a major difference in lowering or preventing high blood pressure.

To lose weight, you must burn more calories than you take in.

Physical activity burns calories, helps you lose weight, and reduces stress.

Physical activity reduces total cholesterol and bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises the good cholesterol (HDL).

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends at least 30 minutes of exercise every other day for cardiovascular fitness. The Surgeon General recommends 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week.

General tips for controlling blood pressure include the following:

• Reduce sodium (salt) intake.

• Limit alcohol to no more than 2 drinks a day.

• Quit smoking.

• Take medicines as directed.

Medication is an important part of blood pressure control for almost everybody with high blood pressure. Many people cannot keep their blood pressure in the healthy range by lifestyle changes alone.

• Only 21% of people with high blood pressure are on blood pressure medicines and have their pressure adequately controlled.
  

• At least 16% of people with high blood pressure are not on any medication.

• Approximately 28% are taking medicines incorrectly, and their blood pressure is uncontrolled.

• Therefore, the biggest challenge in the treatment of high blood pressure is taking the medication correctly.

In about half of people with high blood pressure, limiting sodium intake by eliminating table salt, cooking salt, and salty and processed foods can reduce blood pressure by 5 mm Hg. Losing weight and doing regular physical activity can reduce the blood pressure further.

If these lifestyle changes and choices don’t work, medications should be added. The medications have been proven to reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, and kidney problems. Do not stop taking your medications without talking to your health care provider.