Blood pressure medicine is important for hypertension. Yet how much and how often to take it should be determined and prescribed by your doctor. Actually, there are other ways to reduce blood pressure — healthy diets and exercise, for example. For most people, however, they are more willing to take medicine than try those ways.
Many kinds of medicine can help control your blood pressure, but you still have to make sure you know what the medicine does to you, especially how it works, and how to take it. In you have ever taken any blood pressure medicine, it is necessary to let your doctor know.
There can also be side effects to taking blood pressure medicine, from frequent urination to fatal outcomes. So it is essential for you to really know the medicine you are about to take to see what the risks and benefits are.
Just make sure you take the medicine exactly as your doctor prescribes. Always ask your doctor whether there are any kinds of food not to be taken with your medicine, and importantly what to do in case of forgetting it.
Forgetting to take medicine is quite a common problem. The easiest way is to pair it with your daily activity like brushing your teeth. When starting to take new medicine, mark it on the calendar. If you are extremely forgetful, stick notes around your house such as on the mirror, in the kitchen, or on the door knob.
It may also be quite confusing when you have many pills to take. How many are you supposed to take? Before or after meals? Morning or night? If you have these questions, use a weekly pill box and have your pills all sorted. If it still doesn't work, ask someone in your family to remind or handle it for you.
Remember that blood pressure medicine needs to be taken consistently. When the supply runs low, get a refill before it runs out. It is recommended to buy the medicine from the same pharmacy or clinic every time. This is so that the pharmacist or nurse is familiar with the kind of medicine you are taking. Once you complete a refill, put a mark on the calendar date for your next refill. When you have to take a trip, make sure you have enough medicine with you and keep it in your purse, not your suitcase, all the time.
Besides, it is better to improve your lifestyle no matter how well the medicine works, so you are less dependent on it. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Try to avoid fats, salt, refined sugar, and processed or frozen foods. Reduce smoking and alcohol drinking. Keep your weight within a healthy range. Exercise for about 150 minutes a week. More importantly, have a positive outlook.
Research has shown that healthy foods and exercise can reduce blood pressure. Having healthy foods does not mean to give up everything you like. It is just to find your healthier food choices, such as whole wheat bread instead of white bread. Meditation also helps decrease blood pressure. When you are under stress, blood pressure increases. Meditative exercises like yoga and tai chi can work well, however, if you have other health conditions, consult with your doctor before starting a new exercise.
Still, there are other alternatives, such as acupuncture or EECP (Enhanced External Counter Pulsation). Ask your doctor what options are best for your health. Generally, acupuncture is safe despite not yet being confirmed for its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure.
Then, take your blood pressure regularly to see if your medicine works. You can either do it by yourself at home in the morning, or make an appointment and have it checked by your doctor. In case of any changes in lifestyle, such as taking herbal medicine or suffering from stress, just tell your doctor.
It is true that hypertension can be controlled. But if you take your medicine on and off, it can be harmful and ineffective. Herbal medicine can also be risky without your doctor's approval. In addition, there are food supplements, which are said to lower your blood pressure, such as CoQ10, EPA and DHA, but further studies are still needed.
I have a childhood friend, who has had mildly high blood pressure for six years. He refused taking medicine because he was afraid of the side effects, particularly reduced sex drive. A few years ago, his blood pressure was higher, but he still rejected the medicine. I therefore advised him to exercise more and eat healthier, although this did not really work for him.
Finally, I suggested acupuncture. Once the programme was completed, he felt a lot better. He never missed any acupuncture appointments. His reason was simple: "My acupuncturist is pretty."
Dr Nithi Mahanonda is a consultant cardiologist and interventionist at Perfect Heart Institute, Piyavate Hospital. Visit his website at www.drnithi.com.
