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A major problem for controlling blood pressure is that people will often stop their medication once their blood pressure levels are healthy, according to a new report. Blood pressure is not cured and people with hypertension need to constantly track their readings.

A editorial in the Cardiology edition of the Lancet said, "Despite very effective and cost-effective treatments, target blood pressure levels are very rarely reached, even in countries where cost of medication is not an issue."

The editorial continued, "Many patients still believe that hypertension is a disease that can be cured, and stop or reduce medication when blood pressure levels fall."

The report also recommends against using beta blockers or diuretics as a first line therapy for hypertension.

The report added, "Most hypertensive patients need two or more drugs for blood-pressure control and concomitant statin treatment for risk factor reduction. Despite the availability of effective and safe antihypertensive drugs, hypertension and its concomitant risk factors remain uncontrolled in most patients.”

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