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Healthy and on BP Meds

06/16/2010

Question:

I am a 39yr old male who is on several high blood pressure medications. I am well fit with good choleserol numbers (ldl <100). I exercise regularly. I inherited my HBP as far as I can tell and I do often get nervous while the Doctor takes my BP. My question is, does the medication I take have an adverse effect on my life expectancy? I don`t really feel any side effects from the meds, they are very well tolerated, and they have lowered my bp from 140// down to <120//. Thx.

Answer:

There is universal agreement that the evidence strongly documents that controlling BP with medications prolongs life rather than shortening it. Attached is just one analysis in almost 1 mil people of all ages in studies of blood pressure lowering showing reduction on risk of hypertension complications including death with BP reduction in the range that you describe.

Related Resources:

Blood Pressure Reduction Chart

For more information:

Go to the High Blood Pressure health topic.