What are the long term effects of taking blood pressure medication?

But beware: while beneficial for blood pressure, extended use can lead to dizziness, muscle and bone pain, nausea, vomiting, and high potassium levels.

Does taking blood pressure medication shorten your life?

In fact, those in the study who took medicine to lower their blood pressure for more than four years reduced their risk of dying from cardiovascular disease over a 20-year period, the researchers found. “For the first time, we prove that treating high blood pressure prolongs life,” said lead researcher Dr.

Is it bad to take high blood pressure medication?

Your doctor may advise you to take medicine for high blood pressure if: Your blood pressure is more than a little high. You have organ damage or other health problems such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, diabetes, or kidney disease. You have one or more risk factors for heart attack or stroke.

What is the life expectancy of someone with high blood pressure?

The life expectancy of a 50-year-old smoker with high blood pressure and high cholesterol was estimated to be 24 years, while a 50-year-old with none of the risk factors could expect to live nine additional years, to age 83.

Is High BP a death sentence?

High blood pressure (hypertension) can quietly damage your body for years before symptoms develop, causing damage to your arteries, heart, brain, kidneys, eyes, even sexual dysfunction. Suffering from high blood pressure is not an automatic death sentence.

What are the four worst blood pressure medications?

Which med you take may depend on your specific risk factors.

  • Atenolol.
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
  • Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
  • Terazosin (Hytrin) and Prazosin (Minipress)
  • Hydralazine (Apresoline)
  • Clonidine (Catapres)

What are the worst blood pressure medicines?

Drugs in this class include phenylzine and tranylcypromine. Any of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents also raise blood pressure. The worst offenders are indomethacin, naprosyn, and ibuprofen, especially in large doses.

What are the long term effects of hypertension?

Hypertension is associated with a number of serious long-term effects on the body. High blood pressure is a risk factor for the development of heart disease, heart failure, stroke, eye disease, kidney disease including kidney failure and some life-threatening emergencies.

What is a blood pressure medication?

Blood pressure medicines are used to treat high blood pressure. They are also known as antihypertensives. If your blood pressure is high, it doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll need to take blood pressure medicines.