All high blood pressure should be treated. What the treatment actually consists of, and what elements are required to complete it, varies depending on the class and stage to which the high blood pressure belongs.
Basic Treatment Options
While there are many variations of high blood pressure treatment available, all treatments essentially fall into one of three categories
- Medications (e.g. Beta Blockers)
- Lifestyle Changes (e.g. Weight Loss)
- Other Interventions
Because there is a wide possible array of medication and lifestyle change combinations, the total number of different treatments is vast, but still basically a variation of the same general theme. There are very few genuine treatments that comprise the “other intervention” category
The Decision to Treat
All high blood pressure should be treated. However, don’t assume that because you’re not taking a pill that you aren’t receiving treatment. In certain stages of high blood pressure, it is appropriate to attempt control via lifestyle changes alone. So, if your doctor tells you to exercise more and lose weight, you’re being treated.
Treatment Targets
While most cases of high blood pressure arise from an unknown set of factors, in some cases a definite cause is clearly identified. In these cases, treatment will have two different goals. First, to control the high blood pressure. Second, to relieve, if possible, the underlying cause. Someone with high blood pressure because of an underlying hormone disorder, for example, would likely be controlled on blood pressure medications but would also be treated in an attempt to resolve the hormone imbalance at the root of the problem.
Treatment Goals
The treatment of high blood pressure has clearly defined goals. These goals come from decades of research, and are endorsed by respected groups such as the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control. The guidelines are reviewed by a board consisting of physicians and researchers from many different medical specialties. In general, treatment of high blood pressure is aimed at decreasing the risk of associated complications such as heart attack. Therefore, treatment focuses on reducing blood pressure to a level that has been proven to provide significant risk reduction for these complications.
