Use medication to fight high blood pressure

Of the 22 percent of Canadians who have been diagnosed with hypertension, 64 percent control their condition with medication. We'll go over how medications can help and the other steps that you can take.

According to the Canadian Public Health Association, the cardiovascular disease death rate has been declining steadily in Canada since the mid-1960s. Some of that is due to people living healthier lives, quitting smoking, exercising more frequently, and following a balanced diet plan. But much of it is a result of discovering better treatments for heart disease and the conditions that contribute to it, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. This has been particularly noteworthy in the treatment of hypertension.

• If you fall into the category of Stage 1 hypertension — with systolic blood pressure of 140 to 159 millimetres of mercury (mmHg) or diastolic pressure of 90 to 99 mmHg — talk to your doctor about lifestyle changes instead of medication. If, after six months, you still exhibit consistently high blood pressure, or if you have Stage 2 hypertension (a systolic reading of 160 or higher or a diastolic reading of 100 or higher), you'll likely need a bit more help in the form of medication.
• Most patients with hypertension eventually require two or more drugs to control it. This just means that given your genetic history and individual health status, altering your lifestyle and diet alone isn't enough to get you into the safe zone. If you have diabetes, organ damage, or other cardiovascular risk factors, your doctor is going to be much more aggressive in treating you than if your only health problem is hypertension.
• If you're prescribed medication, that doesn't mean that you should stop following a diet/lifestyle plan. Every study ever conducted shows additional benefits from lifestyle and diet changes compared with taking medication alone. Taking blood pressure medication without implementing a healthier lifestyle is like being treated for lung cancer without quitting smoking. It just makes no sense.
• Eat healthily, maintain your activity levels, and look for ways to moderate your reaction to stress. At the same time, adhere strictly to the medication schedule that your doctor prescribes and educate yourself about current and future treatments for hypertension. 

Hypertension is very treatable, especially if you're willing to make small changes to your lifestyle in addition to properly taking your prescribed medication. See your doctor regularly to make sure that you stay on the right track.