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Taking Micardis For Blood Pressure. Will It Reduce BP Permanently Or Continue All Life?
I am 65 fit, regularly exercising, male with blood pressure recording (over a period of recent 5 months) showing an average of 141/83 and I was recommended small dose (i.e. 40g) Micardis treatment. Question: Is it feasible that this treatment will reduce my blood pressure permanently (i.e. no more need for Micardis) or it is more likely that once I start taking it I will have to continue to the rest of my life?
Richard R
Richard R
Sat, 19 Oct 2013
Hello, and welcome to HealthCareMagic
My name is Doctor Saleem Ur Rehman and I will answer your question.
I congratulate you on adopting a healthy lifestyle at your age, and I understand your concern regarding regular medication. However, it is very important to keep your blood pressure below the target value of 120/80 to avoid the many potentially dangerous complications of High Blood Pressure, such as Heart Failure, Stroke, Kidney Failure etc. A fall of as much as 10 systolic (the upper value) blood pressure can half the risk of potential complications.
Now, about discontinuing the medication at some time, it will be decided by your attending physician. High Blood Pressure has no permanent cure. Once it occurs it usually lasts a liftime, therefore, most of the times, medications are continued for lifetime. If you can manage to get your blood pressure under control with diet, exercise and other methods which define a healthy lifestyle, your doctor may consider taking you off the medications for some time under strict monitoring (DASH diet plan is specially tailored for hypertensive patients. here is the link to a DASH leaflet if you are interested in the details. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf)
You can contact me on my emailing address for any further queries.
Wishing you a healthy life
Doctor Saleem Ur Rehman
Resident in Cardiology
My name is Doctor Saleem Ur Rehman and I will answer your question.
I congratulate you on adopting a healthy lifestyle at your age, and I understand your concern regarding regular medication. However, it is very important to keep your blood pressure below the target value of 120/80 to avoid the many potentially dangerous complications of High Blood Pressure, such as Heart Failure, Stroke, Kidney Failure etc. A fall of as much as 10 systolic (the upper value) blood pressure can half the risk of potential complications.
Now, about discontinuing the medication at some time, it will be decided by your attending physician. High Blood Pressure has no permanent cure. Once it occurs it usually lasts a liftime, therefore, most of the times, medications are continued for lifetime. If you can manage to get your blood pressure under control with diet, exercise and other methods which define a healthy lifestyle, your doctor may consider taking you off the medications for some time under strict monitoring (DASH diet plan is specially tailored for hypertensive patients. here is the link to a DASH leaflet if you are interested in the details. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/dash/new_dash.pdf)
You can contact me on my emailing address for any further queries.
Wishing you a healthy life
Doctor Saleem Ur Rehman
Resident in Cardiology
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Hi,
Drug treatment for high blood pressure tends to be life-long treatment. However, you blood pressure is only very marginally raised. There are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risks of high blood pressure. These include reducing weight, stopping smoking, eating a low-salt diet, reduce caffeine and alcohol. Regular exercising is beneficial and I note you already do this.
These changes can sometimes make a difference and mean that drug treatment is not needed.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
Drug treatment for high blood pressure tends to be life-long treatment. However, you blood pressure is only very marginally raised. There are some lifestyle changes that can help reduce the risks of high blood pressure. These include reducing weight, stopping smoking, eating a low-salt diet, reduce caffeine and alcohol. Regular exercising is beneficial and I note you already do this.
These changes can sometimes make a difference and mean that drug treatment is not needed.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
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