Stopping Medication When Blood Pressure Is Stable: A Dangerous Mistake

Some people stop taking their medication when their blood pressure is stable. Stopping blood pressure medication without a doctor's guidance can cause blood pressure to rise again, or even spike.

Improperly stopping medication not only causes blood pressure to become uncontrolled but can also lead to dangerous cardiovascular complications. For people with high blood pressure, when the measured blood pressure has dropped to the normal limit of below 130/80 mmHg, it does not mean that the disease is cured, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

In many cases, stopping taking high blood pressure medication on your own will cause blood pressure to spike.

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Risks of stopping blood pressure medication suddenly

High blood pressure is a chronic condition. Controlling blood pressure is usually achieved through a combination of medication and lifestyle changes, such as reducing salt intake, exercising, losing weight, and quitting smoking.

Normally, the body maintains blood pressure through a complex regulatory system involving the blood vessels, kidneys, and nervous system. When blood pressure medications are used, this system adapts to the situation and is assisted by the medication.

If you suddenly stop taking the medication, this balance is disrupted, leading to vasoconstriction, increased sympathetic nerve activity, and a rapid increase in blood pressure. In addition, people who have had high blood pressure often have chronic vascular damage. Therefore, stopping the medication causes uncontrolled blood pressure and further damage.

Coupled with the fact that lifestyle changes are not maintained, blood pressure will rise again after only a few weeks or months. Therefore, these are the reasons why doctors always advise against stopping medication suddenly.

However, people with high blood pressure do not always have to take medication for life. Some cases can consider reducing or stopping medication if they meet the conditions such as stable blood pressure for a long time, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, no damage to the heart, kidneys, brain and are only taking a single medication. However, this decision is followed by medical supervision.

On the other hand, stopping the medication is not recommended if the patient has a history of heart disease, kidney failure, stroke, has very high blood pressure, or is taking multiple medications. In these cases, stopping the medication can lead to serious consequences, especially if blood pressure is not monitored regularly, according to Healthline .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/ngung-thuoc-khi-huet-ap-on-dinh-sai-lam-co-the-gay-nguy-hiem-185251109134608857.htm