Generally, I would go with what a doctor recommends over some crap I might come up with, but having said that...
Try controlling your blood pressure with diet and exercise. Elevate your heart rate slightly for 20 minutes 3 times a week...walking will around the block will do it.
Next, eat fruit, veggies and lean protein (fish and baked chicken)...if you're hungry, eat an apple. Still hungry? Eat another.
It is not the most exciting menu, but I guarantee you do that for 90 days will make you lose the weight and lower your blood pressure...and without a pill from a doctor!!!
I've a co-worker with this whole "what doctors aren't telling you" attitude. I wouldn't go that far, but I do think that doctors jump to treat conditions with pills when diet and exercise might be more effective. Besides, doctors and pharmaceutical companies wouldn't make money if their patients followed proper diet and exercise. They'd rather have you buy their pill...any side-effects can be treated with another pill, and on and on...
Give it a try...humans have evolved for thousands of years eating fruits, nuts, veggies and unprocessed protein. But then, Frito Lay, Oreos, transfats, MSG, preservatives and refrigeration weren't really around then. Like I say, give it a try.
(By the way, this doesn't apply if you're a fat-ass who can't walk 10 feet without stopping to rest).