Why Does Medication for Hypertension Not Work?

Medication for hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, may not always work immediately. Factors such as drug dosage and/or combination can prevent the medicine from working. Failure to change bad habits, such as lack of exercise, eating unhealthy food, and unmanaged stress, can also prevent hypertension drugs from being effective.

Poor Diet

• Eating junk food can worsen high blood pressure. Hypertension patients should eat more fruits, vegetables, whole grain carbohydrates, and low-fat dairy products, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Poor Stress Management

• Reducing stress at home and work is critical to any type of hypertension treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing may also help.

Unhealthy Body Weight

• Being just 5 pounds overweight can worsen hypertension, according to the Mayo Clinic. Losing even a little extra weight can help make blood pressure medications more effective.

Smoking

• Tobacco injures the walls of blood vessels and increases hardening of the arteries. Quitting smoking is vital to successful hypertension medical treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Too Much Sodium

• Added table salt and processed foods with high amounts of sodium can render hypertension medicine less effective. A high blood pressure patient should eat no more than 1,500 mg of sodium daily.