The depression danger in your blood pressure medication
Summary
Under these guidelines, 31.3 million more people have been recommended to take prescription medications to control their blood pressure — a clear windfall for the drug companies. So, why were the numbers changed and does starting blood pressure medication really improve your health and decrease your risk of serious cardiac events? It turns out that depression was significantly more common in the group taking medication to treat their serious hypertension with half the patients reporting the mental health problem versus just one-third of those not receiving treatment. So, if you fall into the new category of Stage 1 Hypertension, talk to your doctor about the risks of medication and the benefits of using lifestyle and dietary changes to improve your blood pressure before you start any prescription. In addition to diet and exercise, supplements that can help promote healthy arteries, blood flow and blood pressure include: • Vitamin K2 — Vitamin K2 has been proven to reduce levels of calcium deposits in arteries and lower the risk of serious heart problems.