Patients with hypertension often ask in the clinic, “Do I have to take antihypertensive drugs for the rest of my life and not stop?” Regarding this question, it is important to first understand that the purpose of taking antihypertensive medications is to keep blood pressure within a safe range (below 140/90 mmHg) in order to reduce the damage caused by high blood pressure to the body. Their benefits of protecting the heart and kidneys are more obvious than the side effects of antihypertensive drugs. So when exactly can I stop taking the medication? First of all, when you first start taking antihypertensive drugs, your doctor will at the same time instruct you to improve your lifestyle, such as exercising more to reduce weight, strictly limiting salt, eating a healthy diet, controlling alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking. If, after six months of lifestyle improvement, blood pressure is kept within the safe range (140/90 mmHg or less), you can try to reduce the dose of antihypertensive medication while maintaining your current lifestyle. If you were taking two, you can change to taking one, or if you started taking one, you can change to taking half a tablet and gradually reduce the dose. If the blood pressure control does not reach the standard, or high and low, must adhere to the medication. Note: 1, stopping medication is only for some low-risk hypertensive patients, for the medium-threatening high-risk hypertensive patients must help control blood pressure with the help of drugs. 2, blood pressure control is a protracted battle, so you can not be anxious when stopping medication, intermittent medication will only increase the risk of malignant cardiovascular events. Whether you can stop the medication or reduce the dosage must be done under the guidance of a doctor.