$Unique_ID{BRK00978}
$Pretitle{Circulatory System}
$Title{Will Someone With Mild Hypertension Ever be Able to Stop Taking Medication?}
$Subject{hypertension treatment}
$Volume{G-3}
$Log{
Figure 1*0009501.scf
Figure 2*0009601.scf}

Copyright (c) 1991   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


Will Someone With Mild Hypertension Ever be Able to Stop Taking Medication?


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QUESTION:  My mild hypertension was first discovered during an annual checkup
when I was about 45 years old.  I have been under treatment ever since for
over 15 years now.  I did all the good things you write about, and followed my
physicians orders through many changes, both in medications and dosages.  My
blood pressure has been under control for more than three years now with the
same schedule.  But the answer to my question should surely interest many of
your readers.  Will I ever be able to stop taking all this medication?  Please
give us your thoughts.

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ANSWER:  The fact that you are asking this question reveals that you are a
success story, and that the long struggle for control has been worthwhile.
Even with the many choices that exist for therapy today, it is not always easy
to reach the ideal combination of factors that can control this disease.  Most
physicians use a stepped care plan for therapy, starting with control of all
the possible life style risk factors, such as alcohol use, tobacco use, weight
control, diet and sodium restriction before turning to medications.  Then a
single medication is selected from among four categories, diuretics, beta
blockers, calcium antagonists and ACE inhibitors.  If the first attempt fails,
either the dosage is increased or another medication is added.  With further
evaluation, a third medication may be added from still another class of
medications, or another prescription substituted for one currently being
taken.  This may continue in like fashion until three or four drugs are taken,
each from a different class, and in sufficient dosages to control the level of
the blood pressure.  Once we have mounted these steps and the hypertension has
been under control for at least one year, the possibilities for marching back
down the steps may be considered.  Drug dosage may be reduced, one drug at a
time, and careful evaluation continue for a period of time.  It may even be
possible to reduce the number of medications after a time, providing the
pressure remains at normal levels.  However, it is rarely possible to stop all
the medications.  The step down procedure is most successful in patients who
have mild hypertension and when all those good life style measures are rigidly
maintained.
ÿ
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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
