Healthcare professionals may prescribe blood pressure medication to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Some types of blood pressure medication can include beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and calcium channel blockers.
A study presented in June 2026 at the 63rd European Renal Association Congress in Glasgow, United Kingdom, suggests that dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers (DCCBs) may increase the risk of major adverse kidney events by 33% in people with type 2 diabetes, compared with other medications for hypertension.
These findings have not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
DCCBs are a common type of calcium channel blocker for the treatment of high blood pressure. Examples of DCCBs include:
In a previous interview with Medical News Today, the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) explained that “this data suggests that DCCBs may be associated [with] a more rapid progression of kidney disease in such patients [with diabetic kidney disease].
“This is, of course, important and concerning. There may, however, be many confounders, and the findings need to be replicated in larger cohorts, ideally prospectively, before guidelines should be significantly changed.”
In light of these findings, MNT spoke to two experts: Michelle Routhenstein, MS, RD, CDCES, CDN, preventive cardiology dietitian at EntirelyNourished and Rigved Tadwalkar, MD, FACC, consultative cardiologist and director of Digital Transformation Pacific Heart Institute in Santa Monica, CA.
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We discussed whether it is ever safe to stop taking blood pressure medication if a person has hypertension, whether all blood pressure medications are the same, and whether any natural interventions may help manage high blood pressure.
Tadwalkar said that “it’s uncommon” that a person can stop taking blood pressure medication.
However, he added that “there are situations where a person may be able to come off blood pressure medication. The patients who tend to have the best chance are those with relatively mild hypertension, a recent diagnosis, or those who have made substantial lifestyle changes that meaningfully lowered their blood pressure.”
“Even then I generally recommend doing it gradually and with close monitoring rather than stopping medication abruptly. Some blood pressure medications can lead to rebound increases in blood pressure when stopped suddenly, and even when that’s not the case, blood pressure can climb back up faster than many people expect,” he said.
Talking about her practice, Routhenstein explained that “I often see physicians gradually reduce and in many cases discontinue blood pressure medications when a person’s blood pressure has been consistently maintained within a healthy range through lifestyle and dietary changes.”
She added: “It’s important to note that blood pressure medications should never be stopped abruptly without medical supervision, as this can cause blood pressure to rebound or worsen.”
“By addressing the underlying contributors to high blood pressure through targeted nutrition and lifestyle strategies, I see blood pressure medications being among the most common medications I see reduced or eliminated under a physician’s guidance.”
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“Blood pressure medications belong to several different classes, and each works through a different mechanism,” explained Routhenstein.
“Depending on the underlying factors contributing to hypertension, such as fluid retention, increased vascular resistance, kidney function, heart conditions, or other health concerns, a physician may recommend switching to a different medication rather than stopping treatment altogether,” she said.
“I also frequently work with individuals who have resistant hypertension, meaning their blood pressure remains elevated despite taking multiple classes of blood pressure medications. In many of these cases, targeted dietary and lifestyle interventions that help address the physiological cause can help lower blood pressure more effectively than medication alone.”
“As blood pressure improves, physicians may determine that certain medications are no longer necessary and gradually reduce or discontinue them while closely monitoring blood pressure and overall health to ensure safe and optimal care,” Routhenstein added.
Tadwalkar explained that some people may change blood pressure medication if they experience side effects.
“Changing medications is usually a much better option than stopping treatment altogether. In many cases, the fact that the medication is working is evidence that it is needed. Our goal is usually to find the right medication and dose that controls blood pressure while fitting comfortably into a person’s life,” he said.
“For some people, yes. For many others, no. That distinction is important because hypertension isn’t simply a reflection of willpower or lifestyle choices. Genetics, age, kidney function, vascular health, and a number of other factors play a role as well,” said Tadwalkar.
“Patients with mild elevations in blood pressure may sometimes achieve excellent control through lifestyle measures alone, particularly when changes are made early. At the same time, there are plenty of people who exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, and eat well who still require medication,” he added.”
Routhenstein spoke about natural interventions as an initial treatment for high blood pressure. “The first line of treatment with high blood pressure is through diet and lifestyle strategies. I see the strong impact diet has on blood pressure when we personalize the science into each person’s lifestyle,” she explained.
“There are many contributors to elevated blood pressure that can be addressed through targeted nutrition and lifestyle modifications, including excess fructose intake, reduced nitric oxide production, nutrient inadequacies, chronic inflammation, excess body weight, poor sleep, and physical inactivity.”
“When these underlying drivers are addressed, blood pressure often improves significantly and in many cases normalizes,” she added.
Some dietary changes may help manage blood pressure alongside medication.
“Some dietary and lifestyle changes to help lower blood pressure include addressing gut health, ensuring adequate intake of key nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium from food; achieving and maintaining a heart-healthy weight; engaging in regular physical activity, including resistance training; limiting or avoiding alcohol; managing stress; and prioritizing sleep quality, including evaluation and treatment of sleep apnea when present,” said Routhenstein.
Tadwalkar said that the interventions with benefits that are “measurable and sustainable” are also “the least glamorous.”
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He explained that “Regular physical activity, reducing excess dietary sodium, maintaining a healthy weight, improving sleep quality, limiting excess alcohol, and managing stress can all have meaningful effects on blood pressure.”
Routhenstein explained that diet plays “a powerful role” when it comes to managing blood pressure levels.
“Reducing excess sodium while increasing potassium-rich foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and potatoes can help support healthy blood pressure levels,” she said.
Both Routhenstein and Tadwalkar reference the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) eating pattern, or “DASH diet,” as an approach to lowering blood pressure.
“The DASH diet remains one of the most studied dietary approaches for blood pressure management. It emphasizes fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and lean protein sources while limiting excess sodium and highly processed foods. Many of these foods are naturally rich in potassium, which helps balance some of sodium’s effects on blood pressure,” explained Tadwalkar.
“The best results usually come from combining a thoughtful diet with appropriate medical therapy rather than viewing them as competing strategies,” he added.
