Take your antihypertensive medication as
prescribed by your doctor

The most commonly used drugs belong to these 5 main groups:

• diuretics
• beta-blockers
• calcium channel blockers
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
• angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Your doctor will decide which drug is most suitable for you. More than one drug may be prescribed to keep your BP at an acceptable level. Single drugs which combine medications from 2 of these groups are also available.

If you are on antihypertensive drugs, note the following:

• Treatment is life long (i.e. you have to continue with the medication), so do discuss the cost of anti-hypertensive medications with your doctor.


• Do not stop or change the dose of your medication without consulting your doctor.


• For effective BP control, make sure you see your doctor regularly to monitor your BP. You can also monitor your BP more frequently at home with an electronic BP monitor.