Usually I'm open to trying supplements and will stick with 'em if they seem to work for me.

But let's not go overboard with the scare tactics about Big Pharma and prescriptions. Doctors ain't making a profit off beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. That's old school stuff, very low cost and profit margin. And they work. That's one type of prescription for which there is no alt-med substitute that's as effective.

High BP can be incredibly destructive. The risks of living with high BP far outweigh any minor concerns about the prescription meds. I've spent enough time doing patient care in hospitals and dialysis units to see the damage from uncontrolled blood pressure.

So far I don't need BP meds full time. I do use them as needed for migraines. It's a quirk of migraines -- some respond well to beta blockers and even to valproic acid, a med originally intended to control seizures but also effective for controlling bipolar disorder and helping to prevent migraines.

I'm careful about my diet. I take all the supplements purported to help control BP. I exercise. I'm less than 5 lbs over my optimal weight. But occasionally my BP spikes due to a C1-C2 injury that puts pressure on nerves and cause bizarre symptoms including high blood pressure. Usually temporary and often relieved with gentle traction on the neck. But when my BP goes over 160/100, I take a BP med. It's been as high as 200/100 and I'm not gonna risk stroking out over unwarranted concerns about Big Pharma.

But don't get me started on cholesterol meds. Those are a scam for many folks. At the very least the early research was flawed and should be redone to be sure cholesterol meds are justified considering how extensively they're prescribed. I declined them when my doc was concerned about a spike in my cholesterol. I'd forgotten about my appointment that day and had eaten a big breakfast before the blood draw. But my doc didn't even ask whether there was a reason for the spike. She just immediately said she was putting me on meds. I declined.