About hypertension,does it realy necessary to take the medicine for lifetime?

Question

Just last May 2006,I was rushed to the hospital because my blood pressure goes up to 280/110. and the Doctor adviced to take the medicine daily and this is already for a lifetime.The problem is sometimes I forget to take this daily medicine,sometimes I missed two to three days,is there's any possibility that I would have a high blood attack again because of failing to take my daily medicine? Ria

Answer 1

Yes, it could happen again. You can bring your BP down on your own though. I was rushed to the ER several years ago with High BP. I took my meds for a year before I decided that I hated taking drugs and their side effects and figured that I might be able to do something on my own. I started watching what I ate and excercised more. Also, my job was very stressful and I think that was part of the problem. It took awhile but I managed to keep my BP down on my own, without meds. (I stopped taking the meds a few months after I started my diet/excercise plan. My doc chewed me out for it at first but he later agreed that I was doing okay)
It takes dedication to overcome a health problem like that. Plan on reading labels on food at the store for awhile to limit the amount of sodium intake and monitor the calorie and trans fat content as well. (Frozen entrees are high in sodium, for example) Read books on nutrition or subscribe to "Prevention" magazine for some great advice to help you along. Eventually you will learn what to eat that won't send your BP soaring. Simply put, more FRESH veggies and fruit, less bread and pasta, and cut out most of the junk food. Excercise is also very important. You don't have to become a world class athlete, just get moving. Take the stairs, instead of the escalator. Take a walk several days a week and get your heartrate up. Ride your bike on a scenic bike trail. Go rollerblading. It doesn't have to be monotonous or boring, but it does have to be done. You'll be surprised at how good you begin to feel after a while. Don't expect any miracles right away though or you will set yourself up for disappointment. Just keep in mind that you are protecting your health and the rest will come together. Last, if you have a high stress job like I did, teach yourself to just let some things go. Take everyday as it comes and try to stay calm when everything is starting to go haywire. Easy? NO. Like anything else though, you get better at it with time. Just keep reminding yourself that ultimately, preserving your health is more important than anything else going on at work. Good luck.

Answer 2

That would depend on what is causing the spikes in blood pressure. Some people will get on blood pressure medication and continue taking it forever never taking the time to figure out what is causing the blood pressure. There are a number of things that can cause hypertension such as kidneys not working properly, high cholesterol, genetics as well as other things. I would make your doctor be very thorough in his diagnosis and help you pinpoint where the underlying problem is. It could be something very easy to fix. Good luck!!!

Answer 3

In your case with blood pressure that high it is quite probable that you will need to take blood pressure medication for the rest of your life. The reason you forget is you don't think it's important. Talk to your doctor and he will explain why you need to take your medication every day and on schedule. There are lots of pill box type devices some even with alarms on them, but if you don't attach importance to it, you won't use them or find some way to miss your medication. I've been taking high blood pressure medication for approximately ten years. I've missed about 4-5 doses. I take it because I don't want a stroke or a heart attack. I take my blood pressure every morning. If you want to live a long healthy life and I hope you do, it's up to you.

Answer 4

I don't think so you'll be taking your meds for a lifetime. I have been a hypertensive too coz it's hereditary in our family. I have been rushed to emergency sometime in 2001. For a few months, I have religiously taken my meds daily. But I stopped it gradually and until now I haven't been taking any hypertension meds for more than four years already. I just kept my BP level at normal level by being too conscious of the food am taking and doing some exercise.

Answer 5

The doctors say that it should be for life. Missing once in a way is alright but it is risky. High blood pressure comes mostly because of tension and stress. If you miss the medicine during this period it will be more risky.

Answer 6

It is not always the case that once a person is diagnosed with hypertension that they will have to be on meds for the rest of their life. It is possible to lower your blood pressure with diet and exercise. Unfortunately for you though, in those cases the person's blood pressure is not as high as yours was.
I can sympathize with you on forgetting to take your meds.... I'm horrible with trying to remember to take mine. There are a couple of things you can try to help you remember though. You can get one of those weekly pill cases and leave it out somewhere that you go to everyday so you have to see it, even better if it's in a place where you have to move it to get to what you want.(such as leave it next to your toothbrush on top of the toothpaste, or if you drink coffee everyday, on top of the coffee maker) You can also try to get one of those watches that have an alarm and setting it to go off when it is time to take your meds. Eventually taking your meds on schedule will become habit to you and you won't have to think about it anymore, much like any other habit(brushing teeth, washing, etc)

Answer 7

Pl purchase walgreens " Pharmadose" Pill Organiser and keep your BP pills inside the box on your Dining Table so that you wont forget to take the pills daily as it is a life time dose to keep your BP under control.
Has your Doctor advised you to take Aspirin,if not ask him as this helps in controling any blood clots.
Purchase a BP moniter & check your BP daily.

Answer 8

I would suggest trying to find out what in your life is causing high blood pressure

Is it your diet? Your lifestyle? Genetics?

The first two you can change. The third you can't. Try taking a meditation class to help you learn how to control your stress levels

Answer 9

I also take HPB medicine. I feel I will be on it forever. You need to moniter it yourself. Take a log. If you ever forget take it and see what the dif is. Don't mess around with it, take your meds.

Answer 10

Yes, once a hypertensive always a hypertensive, it's an irreversible part of aging.