Primary hypertension can be controlled, but not cured. Secondary hypertension can be cured by treating the underlying condition.
Physicians commonly prescribe medications called antihypertensives to control hypertension including:
- Beta-blockers, which lower blood pressure and heart rate, reducing the workload on the heart,
- Calcium channel blockers, which dilate (open) arteries, increasing blood flow to the heart and cutting its workload by reducing blood pressure and the force of the heart’s contractions,
- Diuretics, which reduce fluid retention, and
- Angiotensin drugs, which dilate (widen) the blood vessels to improve the amount of blood the heart pumps.
Lifestyle Changes
Because a person’s diet and exercise habits can affect blood pressure, physicians recommend making lifestyle changes, including:
- Quitting smoking,
- eating to control high blood pressure,
- Eating to lower cholesterol,
- Exercising,
- Losing weight,
- Controlling diabetes, and
- Limiting alcohol consumption to one to two drinks per day.