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Eating a healthy low-fat diet; reducing salt, alcohol and caffeine consumption; losing weight if overweight; regular exercise; quitting smoking
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- May avoid the need to take medicines on a long-term basis
- Reduces your risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke
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Medication to reduce amount of water in the blood and widen the arteries
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- Effective in most people aged under 55
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- Less effective in black people and people aged 55 or over
- Not suitable during pregnancy/breastfeeding
- Not suitable if you have a history of kidney or heart disease
- Can cause dizziness, tiredness, headaches and a persistent dry cough
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Medication to widen the blood vessels
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- An option for people unable to take or tolerate ACE inhibitors
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- Less effective in black people and those aged 55 or over
- Not suitable during pregnancy
- Can cause headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, back and leg pain, and diarrhoea
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Medication to widen the arteries
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- Effective in black people and those aged 55 or over
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- Not suitable for people with a history of heart disease, liver disease or circulation problems
- Can cause flushed face, headaches, swollen ankles, dizziness, tiredness and skin rashes (although only temporary)
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Medication to reduce the amount of water in the blood and widen the arteries
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- An option for those unable to take or tolerate calcium channel blockers
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- Not suitable during pregnancy
- Not suitable for people with gout
- Can raise potassium and blood sugar levels – regular blood and urine tests required
- Can cause impotence
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Medication to lower the heart rate and force of the heart
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- An option for people who do not respond to other medication
- Safer to use during pregnancy than other medications
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- Causes a wider range of side effects: tiredness, cold hands and feet, slow heartbeat, diarrhoea and nausea (common)
- Can also cause sleep disturbances, nightmares and impotence (uncommon)
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