I have a 53 year old male roommate that has had blood pressure readings of 230/155 > what I understand is that 140/90 is the threshold to hypertension, I also understand that left untreated is it will shorten ones life ,will destroy important organs, and is a leading cause of stroke. My friend is reluctant to see a Dr, he's living with me now because I'm trying to help him get a new start. I see him turn red in the face and neck and he gets dizzy along with some vision changes. I've offered to pay for him to go to the Doctor but he's reluctant to take my money . I live in the downtown Kansas City Mo. area . I'm afraid he is going to have a stroke and he needs to be educated on what he is actually doing to himself I cant seem to get it through his head , or he just doesn't have that high of regard for his own life. Perhaps if there was a place I can take him where he can be treated on a free basis he might accept that. In the interim what would be the best resource that would in the shortest words tell him how serious this is. The closest I've seen him to do anything about it is he came home with a bottle of pills (says a friend gave them to him after he listened to him about my concerns. Not an approach I would consider . He almost took one and I suggested I ask a professional first (there are about 20 pills all marked with m 444) I looked them up and they are a blood pressure medication, but as with anything there could be a multitude of ways to correct what is the cause . I'm reluctant to let him have them back but he's an adult . I have for the time being got him to refrain from taking one but if I don't get him to the Doctor before he turns red in the face and neck and blurred vision, is this a pill I should keep him from taking by discouraging him. I think I'm shy one straight jacket to get done what i know is the answer and that of course is to see a Doctor. Help