The decision on when to start drugs for the treatment of elevated blood pressure should be determined by an individual's absolute risk of having an adverse cardiovascular event. The choice of drug depends on its safety and effectiveness and its indications and contraindications for individual patients. most patients will require two or more drugs to reach their target blood pressure. The main classes of antihypertensive drugs are equally effective at reducing blood pressure, but beta blockers are no longer recommended as first-line treatment for most patients.