Why Your Blood Pressure Won't Come Down With Medicine

Medication to reduce high blood pressure, also known as hypertension, may not work as well as hoped for a variety of reasons. The patient may be on the wrong drug or need additional medication. Additionally, lifestyle changes are an integral part of any hypertension treatment, and failure to do so may render blood pressure medications far less effective.

Too Much Sodium

• Reducing sodium intake is a key to combating high blood pressure, according to the Mayo Clinic. A hypertensive patient should ingest no more than 1,500 mg of sodium each day.

Cigarette Smoking

• Failure to quit smoking cigarettes can render blood pressure medications ineffective, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tobacco use increases hardening of the arteries, which worsens hypertension.

Lack of Exercise

• High blood pressure sufferers should engage in 30 minutes of physical activity each day whether or not they take medication, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Potassium Shortage

• Increasing potassium intake through eating fruits such as bananas and orange juice can help reduce hypertension along with drug treatment, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Too Much Alcohol

• Drinking too much alcohol can worsen hypertension even when medication is used. A woman or person over 65 should have only one drink a day, and men should limit their intake to two daily beverages.