What should I know about blood pressure medicine?

Your doctors may prescribe different types of medicine for you. Don’t be discouraged if you need to take blood pressure medicine from now on. Sometimes you can take smaller doses after your blood pressure is under control, but you may always need some treatment.

What’s most important is that you take your medicine exactly the way your doctor tells you to. Never stop treatment on your own. If you have problems or side effects with your medicine, talk to your doctor.

1. It may take a week or two to see full effects

2. You may need to have periodic blood testing to monitor for side effects of certain blood pressure meds

3. They don't work if you don't take them!

When you have 'essential hypertension'-high blood pressure (HBP) medication is most likely needed for life. Even when your 'readings' are normal as a result of taking medication YOU still have HBP -the  condition does not go away.

BUT it is your responsibility to monitor your blood pressure, adhere to doctor's orders as regards diet and exertion. In this age of technology YOU should be monitoring-keep a diary and take it with you to the doctor! MOST important you need to know what is your 'normal'. Guidelines at what reading to take more, get medical help (go to the ER versus when to call the doctor) and when not to take meds- should come from your healthcare provider. Be sure it is clearly understood as the consequence of too low/too high BP is life threatening. You know the possible complications (stroke, heart attack, accident to name a few) are not always reversible.  From  research we know that low doses of multiple classes of drugs, working in different ways, is more beneficial than a single class of medication at a high dose. Multiple prong approach has resulted in improved control less complications. So be patient if it takes a bit time to find the right combination for you. Also as we age our 'normal' BP reading changes (goals for control) and medications may be changed. Side effects are different for each person so speak up, there are many drugs in each classes of agents used to reduce blood pressure.