Controlling High Blood Pressure May Be A Matter Of Life And Death

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There are many reasons people don't take their blood pressure medicine despite the fact that we know that high blood pressure is called the silent killer.

Many stop taking medicine because of unwanted side effects.

Of course there are also people who know that controlling hypertension is important, but they don't always have the pressure under control because the regular medications that work for most of us don't work for them.

The good news is there are specialists who deal with these tougher cases. There are many well-qualified doctors, but cardiologists and nephrologists, doctors who specialize in kidney problems, can be of great help.

Controlling hypertension is an important way to avoid the long-term damage of uncontrolled pressure.

When it comes down to it, controlling high blood pressure is best done by a team approach - you and your doctor - and when necessary other specialists who can add their opinions. But the bottom line is to control it and monitor the pressure.