What is the downside of taking blood pressure medicine?

Most of the time, blood pressure medicines do not cause side effects. Some people have mild side effects, including dizziness, headaches, swelling in the legs or feet, or stomach problems.

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What are the disadvantages of taking blood pressure tablets?

Some common side effects of high blood pressure medicines include:
  • Cough.
  • Diarrhea or constipation.
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness.
  • Erection problems.
  • Feeling nervous.
  • Feeling tired, weak, drowsy, or a lack of energy.
  • Headache.
  • Nausea or vomiting.

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What are the long term side effects of blood pressure medication?

Over time, however, they can cause insomnia and sleep disorders, depression, poor circulation (in the form of cold hands and feet), and erectile dysfunction.

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Can blood pressure medicine hurt you?

Like all medicines, high blood pressure medicines can sometimes cause side effects. You may have common problems like headaches, dizziness, or an upset stomach. These can be bothersome to how you feel every day but often lessen after the first few weeks of taking the medicine.

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What is the safest high blood pressure medication?

Safe medications to use include methyldopa and potentially some diuretics and beta-blockers, including labetalol.

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Blood Pressure Medicines - What They Are, How They Work, Side Effects, & More

45 related questions found

What is the most common high blood pressure pill?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. Common examples are enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril.

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What is the most popular medication for high blood pressure in Australia?

Types of blood pressure medicines

The most common blood pressure medicines are ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and diuretics. Many people need more than one medicine to bring their high blood pressure under control.

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Is it better to take blood pressure medicine or not?

The higher your blood pressure is, the more likely you are to benefit from taking antihypertensive medication. If you have very high blood pressure, the risk of cardiovascular disease is so great that doctors usually recommend immediate treatment with medication.

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Can blood pressure medication do more harm than good?

Everything seems hunky-dory. But if you don't get close and careful follow-up, those blood pressure pills could do more harm than good. In a recent post, I showed how common it is for patients to receive antibiotics in the hospital even when those drugs will do more harm than good.

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How do you get rid of blood pressure medicine naturally?

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  1. Lose extra pounds and watch your waistline. Blood pressure often increases as weight increases. ...
  2. Exercise regularly. ...
  3. Eat a healthy diet. ...
  4. Reduce salt (sodium) in your diet. ...
  5. Limit alcohol. ...
  6. Quit smoking. ...
  7. Get a good night's sleep. ...
  8. Reduce stress.

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Do you have to stay on blood pressure medication forever?

If a blood pressure medicine brings your blood pressure to normal, it's wonderful; unfortunately though, it doesn't correct it permanently -- so you have to continue the medication.

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Why would a doctor stop blood pressure medication?

In some cases, doctors may stop blood pressure medication in older and extremely frail individuals, especially those in nursing homes. This is because the risk-benefit ratio can change, i.e., the potential side effects of the drugs become more dangerous than the risk that hypertension imposes.

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Does walking lower blood pressure immediately?

Ten minutes of brisk or moderate walking three times a day

Exercise lowers blood pressure by reducing blood vessel stiffness so blood can flow more easily. The effects of exercise are most noticeable during and immediately after a workout. Lowered blood pressure can be most significant right after you work out.

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What can replace high blood pressure medication?

Ask an Expert: Lowering blood pressure without pills
  • Exercise regularly. Exercise is powerful medicine. ...
  • If you are overweight, lose weight. Excess weight raises blood pressure. ...
  • Eat a healthy diet. Food is another powerful medicine. ...
  • Limit your salt usage. ...
  • Drink alcohol moderately, if at all.

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What is the main cause of high blood pressure?

What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure.

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How do you feel when you have high blood pressure?

Blood pressure is mostly a silent disease

Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms. Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure.

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What is the number one prescribed blood pressure medicine?

The most common high blood pressure medications by total prescriptions written include: Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril): This medication is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. It is a drug that you usually take once per day. Most people find once-daily dosing to be convenient and easy to remember.

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What are the four best blood pressure medications?

The bottom line

Many medications used in the past to lower blood pressure may not be the best choice for lowering your blood pressure today. The four classes of medications recommended by the most recent guidelines and research are thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and calcium channel blockers.

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What is the average blood pressure for a 70 year old?

Elderly blood pressure range for men and women

The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) updated their guidelines in 2017 to recommend men and women who are 65 or older aim for a blood pressure lower than 130/80 mm Hg.

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What time of the day is blood pressure highest?

Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening.

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What are the new blood pressure guidelines for 2022?

The new blood pressure categories.
  • Normal = less than 120 and less than 80.
  • Elevated = 120-129 and less than 80.
  • High Blood Pressure Stage 1 = 130-139 or 80-89.
  • High Blood Pressure Stage 2 = 140 or higher or 90 or higher.
  • Hypertensive Crisis (call your doctor immediately) = Higher than 180 and/or higher than 120.

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What is stroke level blood pressure?

Call 911 or emergency medical services if your blood pressure is 180/120 mm Hg or greater and you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or symptoms of stroke. Stroke symptoms include numbness or tingling, trouble speaking, or changes in vision.

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What happens when you go off blood pressure medication?

Suddenly stopping your blood pressure medication may cause side effects and put you at high risk for heart attack and stroke. Always speak with your medical provider before discontinuing any medication, including blood pressure medication.

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Can you get off blood pressure meds once you start?

In general, you shouldn't stop taking blood pressure medications suddenly. If you do, they can cause potentially dangerous side effects that can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Blood pressure medications are often stopped more gradually, utilizing a strategy such as tapering.

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