Taking High Blood Pressure Medication Properly

Depending on how high your BP is and if you have other risk factors for heart disease and stroke, your doctor may also recommend taking medicines to help control your blood pressure

If your blood pressure isn't only controlled by lifestyle changes, you may need to take tablets. Follow your doctor's advice and take the tablets regularly according to the prescription. Keep a good supply and don't let the tablets run out. Modern tablets have few side effects, but if you have problems tell your doctor and you can try a different tablet. Do not stop taking them without doctor consultation

Will I have to take blood pressure medications?

Your doctor should offer you blood pressure medicines if:

• Has a clinical blood pressure of 160 mmHg or more

• You already have clinical evidence of cardiovascular disease and your clinic's blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg

• You have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA); even if your blood pressure is Considered normal

What should I aim for to lower blood pressure?

• If you suffer from hypertension and have no other health conditions, your doctor will likely advise you to try lowering your blood pressure to 140/90 mmHg or less

• In the case of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, kidney disease or signs of high blood pressure damage, your doctor will likely advise you to aim for a slightly lower target of 135/85 mmHg or less

These target values ​​are only a guide. Your doctor will discuss with you which goal is best for you

How long will I have to take blood pressure medications?

Unfortunately, high blood pressure doesn't go away once you and your doctor find the right combination of medications. You will need to continue taking medications for the rest of your life to make sure your blood pressure remains under control. You must check your blood pressure regularly and, if necessary, your medicine can be adjusted

How many medications will I need to take? 

Most people need to take more than one type of medicine to keep their blood pressure under control. There is some evidence that taking two or more drugs controls blood pressure better than one. You can start with one or more drugs at a lower dose to reduce side effects. You can also start taking one or more medications to reduce the need for more than one daily dose

Some people have blood pressure which is very difficult to treat. Your blood pressure remains high despite taking three or more blood pressure medications. This is known as resistant hypertension. However, before making a diagnosis of resistant hypertension, the doctor may consider other reasons why blood pressure does not appear to respond to treatment

The reasons may include:

• Are you taking your medications correctly?

• Is your blood pressure affected by other medications you may be taking?

• Is blood pressure falsely high when measured in a clinical setting (white coat effect)?

• Does lack of sleep affect blood pressure?

• Is there an underlying cause for high blood pressure? Even if you have resistant hypertension, it is important to make appropriate lifestyle changes, such as weight loss, diet (including salt restriction) and exercise

But I'm fine, what if I don't take my medicine?

Taking medicine every day can be difficult, especially if you're feeling well. However, it is really important to take blood pressure medications since they have been prescribed to prevent the risk of complications in the future

Up to half of all people who have been prescribed antihypertensive drugs don't take their medications as prescribed. You do?

Take a few moments to think about the following questions:

• How often do you forget one or more doses (per week)?

• Do side effects stop you from taking your medications as prescribed?

• Is the program too complicated?

Do you understand perfectly why you are taking your medications?

• How important is it for you to check your blood pressure?

It may be helpful to find ways to remember to take your medicine regularly. This can be using an alarm clock or an app on the watch or phone, using a dosage box or storing medications in a safe place where you will see them every day. Ask your pharmacist if you need help remembering to take the tablets

If you experience any side effects of blood pressure medications, discuss them with your family doctor. They may be able to reduce the dose or try another medicine. It is important to continue taking blood pressure medications to keep your blood pressure in check and reduce the risk of complications

If you are taking medications for hypertension, care should be taken when taking other medications, be it prescription or "over the counter" drugs or even herbal remedies. For example, some cold and flu remedies can increase blood pressure. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice and always talk to them about any new prescription or over-the-counter medications you will take

Some effervescent (soluble) medicines contain up to 1 g of salt per tablet. If you take them and have high blood pressure, you might consider switching to a non-effervescent equivalent

What medications will be prescribed?

The initial choice of medications to lower blood pressure will depend on factors such as age, ethnicity, the possibility of side effects, other medications you are already taking and any other medical conditions you already have

Your doctor will use the latest guidelines to decide which blood pressure medications might work best for you

The drugs most commonly used to treat blood pressure are:

• Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg Lisinopril, perindopril, enalapril, ramipril)

• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) (eg candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan)

• Calcium channel blockers (eg Amlodipine, diltiazem, lacidipine, nifedipine, verapamil)

• Diuretics (thiazide type) (eg Bendrofumetiazide, chlortalidone, indapamide)

• Beta blockers (eg atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol)