When you miss a dose of your blood pressure medicine, you might not notice a difference.
But your body does. Skipping your blood pressure medicine can make your blood pressure
go up. This can cause damage to your heart and blood vessels.
Taking your medicine at the same time every day will help keep your blood pressure
at the right level and will help your heart and blood vessels stay healthy. And knowing
when and how to take your medicine will help make sure that it’s working the way it
should be. Here are some tips for taking your blood pressure medicine:
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Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what time of day to take your medicine
and whether you should take it with food.
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Consider setting a medicine alert on your phone or computer. There are many apps that
can be used on a smart phone or tablet to help with medicine tracking and even refill
reminders. You may find one that will work well for you and your lifestyle. You can
also mark on a calendar when you take your medicine, so that you know if you took
it that day.
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Keep your medicine with something you use every day to remind you to take it. This
might be with your toothbrush, coffee mug, or computer.
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Put a reminder note in a place you sit or on a door you open every day.
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Buy a pillbox that has a compartment for each day’s pills.
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Don’t forget refills. Every time you refill your medicine, mark a note on your calendar
to remind you to pick up the next refill.
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Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist what to do if you miss a dose of your medicine.
Don't double up doses to "catch-up" on your medicines for the day. This could cause
a dangerous drop in your blood pressure.
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Never stop taking your medicine without talking with your provider first. If your
blood pressure readings are going down, it's because your medicine is working.
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Stick with your medicine plan long-term. Not doing so can increase your risk for heart
disease and stroke. It's important to be honest with your healthcare team about your
ability to take the medicine as prescribed.
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Also track your blood pressure and heart rate. This is to see how your body responds
to the medicine. Changes in your health status can affect your blood pressure. Knowing
what a normal trend for you will help in guiding your short-term and long-term treatment
if changes occur.