First, Wexler emphasizes that any reduction in arterial pressure, whether you achieve it through lifestyle changes or the use of medication, lowers your risk of a variety of bad outcomes such as heart attacks and strokes. A meta-analysis of 123 trials of different blood pressure lowering drugs found that for each 10 mm Hg reduction in systolic blood pressure, reduced the risk of major cardiovascular disease events by 20% (11.0% of those taking a placebo and 9.6% of those being treated had major cardiovascular disease), coronary heart disease by 17% (4.1% in the placebo group and 3.5% in the treated group had coronary heart disease), stroke by 27% (4.2% of those in the placebo group and 3.4% of those in the treated group had a stroke), heart failure by 28% (3.5% in the placebo group and 2.8% in the treated group had heart failure), and all-cause mortality by 13% (7.7% in the placebo group and 7.1% in the treated group died from any cause). The benefits from reducing the risk of kidney failure were less clear. The meta-analysis also found differences in the effectiveness of specific drug classes for preventing particular risks. For example, calcium channel blockers seemed most likely to prevent strokes while diuretics were more likely to prevent heart failure. Medications were typically most effective in people who did not have chronic kidney disease or diabetes, though people with these conditions may still benefit.  The study is worth printing out and sharing with your provider as you discuss your individual risk level and treatment options, even though it does not include information on adverse effects or lifestyle changes.