How to Avoid Rebound Hypertension

There are several actions one can take to prevent hypertension and high blood pressure. However, once you have it, you can experience rebound hypertension from a sudden withdrawal from some medication, usually an anti-hypertensive medication such as Clonidine.

Things You'll Need

• List of medications
• Physician's instructions

Instructions

1. Consult your doctor. Whether you think that you should discontinue your anti-hypertensive medication because of some side effect or you are having surgery that requires you to discontinue your blood pressure medication, always consult the physician who prescribed the medication.

2. The physician will give you general instructions on how to withdraw from your anti-hypertensive medication. Read and absorb your physician's instructions carefully so as not to cause rebound hypertension.

3. The anti-hypertensive medication should be withdrawn over a period of one to three weeks, as per your doctor's orders. If other medications are involved, the physician will inform you know about interactions and side effects of the withdrawal. For example, a beta-blocking agent or drug will usually need to be withdrawn first, or a pretreatment with an alpha-blocking medication may be administered to decrease the risk of rebound hypertension.

4. Following the successful withdrawal of the medication, make a follow-up appointment with your doctor to ensure that you are not at risk for rebound hypertension.