Hypertension is a chronic condition, requiring patients to monitor their blood pressure and manage it with long-term medication, often for life.

Most individuals experience primary hypertension, a condition not attributable to a specific underlying disease. Instead, it is associated with various long-term factors, including advanced age, genetic predisposition, a high-sodium diet, overweight or obesity, sedentary lifestyles, stress, or smoking. Blood pressure typically rises again if treatment is discontinued, making long-term medication necessary for most patients. Furthermore, individuals with long-standing hypertension, cardiovascular complications, kidney damage, or diabetes often require a combination of medications to effectively manage their condition.

Doctor Tuan advises a patient on their hypertension. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*.

However, some patients may reduce their dosage or temporarily discontinue medication under medical supervision. This applies to individuals whose hypertension is linked to psychological factors without causing target organ damage, those who are elderly and frail, or patients with acute conditions that lead to a drop in blood pressure, such as dehydration from diarrhea or severe infections.

If secondary hypertension results from a clear underlying medical condition, such as adrenal gland tumors, endocrine disorders, or sleep apnea, addressing the root cause can significantly improve blood pressure. In such cases, some patients may not require long-term medication.

In your specific case, it remains unclear whether your hypertension is primary or secondary. While your blood pressure is currently stable, this likely reflects the effectiveness of your ongoing medication regimen, not a complete cure. Discontinuing medication without medical advice could lead to a dangerous increase in blood pressure.

Rather than worrying about lifelong medication, you should adhere to your prescribed treatment to prevent dangerous complications. If your blood pressure remains stable over an extended period, your doctor can conduct a comprehensive re-evaluation to consider appropriate medication adjustments.

Alongside medication, you should adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes maintaining a reasonable weight, reducing salt intake, increasing green vegetable consumption, limiting processed foods, exercising for at least 150 minutes weekly, ensuring adequate sleep, managing stress, and avoiding smoking. These lifestyle factors are crucial for effective disease control and minimizing the risk of hypertension-related complications.

Dr. Le Anh Tuan

Department of Cardiology

Tam Anh General Clinic, Cau Giay