It’s a very common concern—many patients feel the same way when they hear they may need to start blood pressure medication. And just to reassure you, we don’t keep people on medication for no reason.

Blood pressure medication isn’t something you take forever by default. It’s prescribed to manage a condition. If the root cause of your high blood pressure is addressed—like through diet, weight management, or regular exercise—there is a chance the medication can be reduced or even stopped. But this needs to be done properly. Stopping too early, before things are well controlled, can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, or kidney problems.

There are many types of blood pressure medications, and they’re not all the same. If you’re experiencing side effects, it’s important to bring it up—there are often alternatives that can be better suited.

Home monitoring is also very helpful, especially when first starting medication or adjusting doses. Some people experience white coat hypertension, where blood pressure readings are higher in the clinic than at home—so home readings give a more accurate picture.

Also, just because your BP reading looks fine for a day doesn’t mean the issue has resolved. The medication could be what’s keeping it controlled. Skipping or stopping it on your own could cause your blood pressure to spike unexpectedly.

And it’s totally understandable to be concerned about long-term effects on the kidneys or liver. That’s why regular follow-ups are important—your healthcare provider will know which blood tests to run and what to keep an eye on based on the medication you’re on.

If you have concerns, do bring them up at your next visit. It’s always worth having that conversation so expectations can be properly managed.

Regards,
Dr Say.

Reference:
Clinical Practice Guidelines – Management of Hypertension, 5th Edition (2018), Ministry of Health Malaysia.