When is taking medication for high blood pressure a good idea?

Over time, high blood pressure increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. Medication can lower your blood pressure. But whether it is worth taking it depends on how high your blood pressure is – as well as your individual risk of complications.
If your blood pressure is high, it can be worth trying to lower it by losing weight, eating less salt and getting more exercise. It also makes sense to drink little or no alcohol and to quit smoking. Treatment with antihypertensives (medication to lower blood pressure) is also an option.
Whether it is worth taking medication for high blood pressure will depend on the following:
- How high your blood pressure is
- What additional risk factors you have
- How important the advantages and disadvantages of the treatments are to you
Antihypertensives need to be taken regularly and for a long time in order for them to prevent complications like heart attack or stroke. A decision to take medication for high blood pressure is a long-term decision.