As if I said anywhere in my post "I must pop pill x." Side effects = none. Cost = negligible. Could I afford to exercise more and lose a few pounds? Sure. But that is not going to reduce what was too high blood pressure quickly enough to not be a risk, particularly upping my exercise regimen with untreated high blood pressure.

Many modern blood pressure medicines have almost no side effects for the gross majority of those taking them. I had a very similar experience to the person you're replying to.

I am active, eat healthy, and have tried to go off of my high blood pressure meds more than once, but each time, my blood pressure creeps back up. Modern medicine is a wonderful thing. Don't be scared of medicine when it's the right option.