Grayfly; The good thing is that a lifestyle change may also assist in bringing the figures down. Perhaps like you I too viewed myself as healthy? ie.exercise often, smoked a bit, salads and moderation in meats, not overweight. So at 54 put on a tablet a day but quickly found I was going to bed early often at 2100 hrs and laying in but always tired. Also of more concern was my total lack of sex drive which no-one seems to have mentioned yet, now that did concern me. At 55 went back to Doc thinking that he would give me Viagra but took me off tablets and put me on six monthly monitoring which on balance finds me at 130/95, the lower figure as I seem to have understood is of more concern. Now 56 and still on six monthly checks, feel fine. result I ceased smoking all together, started cycling a bit and walking, I do/did cut down on some foodstuffs and alcohol intake is limited.
I have not found positively changing aspects of my lifestyle too difficult it is a bit like dieting I suppose and if it helps must be worth it. Good luck whatever.