When Antihypertensive Medication Needs to Be Taken

Indeed, not all cases of hypertension or high blood pressure need to be treated with medication. Sometimes lifestyle changes and eating patterns alone are enough to control blood pressure. So, when do you need to take antihypertensive medication? In general, hypertension is divided into two, namely primary hypertension and secondary hypertension. Hypertension is classified as primary if the cause is unknown. Hypertension falls into the secondary category if it is caused by other conditions, such as kidney disorders, birth defects, or drug abuse. High blood pressure can be treated with antihypertensive drugs. However, not all hypertension must be treated with medication. Implementing a healthy lifestyle and regulating daily dietary patterns can also control high blood pressure.

How to deal with hypertension

In medicine, treatment of hypertension can be done in two ways, namely treatment with drugs and without drugs. The following explanation:

Management of hypertension without drugs

If the patient's blood pressure ranges from 130-139 / 85-89 mmHg (normal tends to be high), the doctor will not give the patient high blood medicine. Instead, the doctor will advise patients to start implementing a healthy lifestyle. Ways that can be done are:

• Doing light exercise regularly, such as walking, jogging, biking, or swimming.
• Limit your intake of red meat, saturated fat, and table salt.

Treatment of hypertension with drugs

If lifestyle improvements are not able to improve blood pressure, the doctor will give antihypertensive medication or high blood pressure-lowering drugs. There are various types of antihypertensive drugs, including:

• ACE inhibitors
• Calcium antagonist
• Diuretic
• Alpha inhibitor
• Beta block

The doctor will adjust the type of antihypertensive medication to the cause and severity of hypertension, health conditions, and the patient's body response to the drug. Usually patients are only given one type of antihypertensive drug. However, not a few patients who need to take a combination of several antihypertensive drugs.

When should antihypertension be given?

As said before, antihypertensive drugs are given when changes in lifestyle and diet are not enough to control the patient's blood pressure. Hypertension therapy with medication needs to be done if the patient has changed lifestyle and regulates nutrition, but failed to reach the set blood pressure target (<140/90 mmHg) during the first 3 months. Antihypertensive drugs are also usually given if the patient has the following conditions:

• First degree hypertension (blood pressure 140-149 / 90-99 mmHg).
• 2nd degree hypertension (blood pressure 160-169 / 100-109 mmHg).
• 3rd degree hypertension (blood pressure> = 180 mmHg /> = 100mmHg).
• Hypertension with complications that cause damage to body organs, such as the heart, kidneys, or eyes.

Keep in mind, antihypertensive drugs need to be consumed for life. At the beginning of treatment, the doctor will give one type of medicine. But if the patient has a risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney, and eye disorders, the doctor will give a combination of two types of drugs. If the desired blood pressure target is still not achieved, the doctor can give a combination of three types of drugs. If there is a family history of high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, or diabetes, you should be vigilant and be diligent to see a doctor at least once a year. Remember, never take antihypertensive drugs without consulting a doctor first. Antihypertensive drugs that are suitable for others may not be suitable for you.