Blood pressure medication: Still necessary if I lose weight?

Answer Section

If you're overweight, losing even just 5 pounds (2.3 kilograms) can lower your blood pressure. The more weight lost, the more blood pressure can drop. As you lose weight, it may be possible to reduce your dose of blood pressure medicine. Or you might be able to stop taking blood pressure medicine completely. Never make changes to your blood pressure medicine on your own, however. Talk to your health care provider first.

Remember, high blood pressure isn't a problem you treat once and then ignore. Even if you're safely able to stop taking blood pressure medicine, it's always important to maintain healthy habits. Here's how:

• Eat a healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits and whole grains and low in salt, trans fats and saturated fats.
• Manage your weight.
• Get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day.
• Don't drink alcohol or limit the amount.
• Quit smoking.
• Try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep daily.
• Have regular health checkups to monitor blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.