Effects Of Skipping Blood Pressure Medication: High blood pressure is a serious disease, but its biggest problem is that its symptoms are not clearly visible in the beginning. Many people do not realize until the body starts getting harmed. For this reason many patients are not able to take their medicines regularly. When you don’t feel any difference immediately after skipping a pill or two, it becomes easy to forget or stop the medicine.
Often people think that not taking medicine occasionally will not cause any major harm. But the truth is that blood pressure medications are usually given for a long time, sometimes for life. Yes, the medicine may be changed or stopped in certain circumstances such as pregnancy. In some cases, if BP comes under control continuously due to major and permanent changes in lifestyle, then the medicines can be gradually reduced or even stopped under the supervision of the doctor.
What is the role of medicines?
According to Medline Plus, blood pressure medications, called anti-hypertensives, work in different ways in the body. They relax the nerves, reduce pressure on the heart or help remove excess salt and water from the body. This reduces the risk of serious problems like heart attack and stroke.
Schedule a time to take your medicine
If a dose is missed, the medicine should be taken as soon as you remember, unless the time for the next dose is very close. Skipping a dose is usually less dangerous than taking more medicine. To avoid forgetting the medicine, it is helpful to take it at a fixed time every day and make it a daily habit, such as taking it with breakfast in the morning or keeping it near the brush at night.
Talk to your doctor and decide to stop the medicine.
According to Health Central, if blood pressure numbers improve, it is natural to think of stopping the medicine. But suddenly stopping the medicine without talking to the doctor can be dangerous. This can cause problems like headache, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath or sudden increase in BP. If BP reaches above 180/120, it is considered a hypertensive crisis, which is an emergency and can lead to stroke, heart attack, kidney damage or even blindness.
If the doctor feels there is a possibility of reducing the medication, the safest approach is to reduce the dose gradually. For this, regular BP monitoring at home is necessary. If, despite taking medication, BP remains around the normal range, such as 115/80, for a long time, only then do doctors consider reducing the medication.
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Disclaimer: This information is based on research studies and expert opinion. Do not consider this as a substitute for medical advice. Before adopting any new activity or exercise, please consult your doctor or relevant specialist.
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