How to Monitor Your Blood Pressure When Changing Medications

High blood pressure, which is also known as hypertension, can be a silent but deadly disease. There are millions of people diagnosed with high blood pressure and a large unknown number of people who do not even know they have high blood pressure. Hypertension (HTN) frequently does NOT present with any noticeable symptoms such as blurred vision, headache or fainting. HTN symptoms remain fairly silent—therefore getting your blood pressure checked at least annually is good medicine.

If you already have HTN and are on medications, sometimes it becomes necessary to change or add anti-HTN medications after a period of time to obtain better control of your blood pressure. This article will help you understand what your role is when you are changing medications to make sure you are getting the best treatment possible.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Home blood pressure monitor
• Notebook
• Regular blood pressure monitoring at a medical office

1. Sometimes blood pressure medications stop working as well as they should. This may be due to numerous reasons such as your body has built up a tolerance to the medication or your condition may have changed and needs a new approach to keeping it under control.
   
   
   
   So begin by going to your health care provider for regular checkups that include blood pressure monitoring. Write down the date, time and BP in your notebook.
2. Talk to your nurse practitioner or physician about your blood pressure. Ask them if they feel it is under control and what numbers (blood pressure readings) they believe you need to maintain BP control.
3. Do not forget to tell your clinician exactly how you take your medications and at what time of day. Be honest about any missed doses and try to figure out why you missed them. Finally, list any side effects you may think are related to your current BP medication(s). Intolerable side effects are good enough reason to change your medication. No one should be miserable because of side effects when there are hundreds of other medications to select.
4. Learn how to take your own blood pressure (it is rather easy) or have it checked by a nurse, paramedic or other health care provider. Many towns have Visiting Nurses Associations or rescue squads that would welcome you to come in and get your blood pressure monitored for free. You can even try calling your local health department for places to go.
5. Get your blood pressure taken several times a week and at different times of day. Write down the date, time, how you were feeling (sick, anxious, tired and so forth) and the BP.
   
   
   
   Consult with your health care provider on how long they want you to self-monitor your BP and what you should do if your BP numbers are not meeting the established goals in the time frame agreed upon. Write these parameters down in your notebook so you can compare them on the spot!
6. On your follow-up visit with your clinician be sure to bring the notebook with you and review the BP readings with them. This is very useful in helping you and your health care provider decide if the new plan is working, or if it needs adjusting.
   
   
   
   Be an active participant in your health care!

Tips & Warnings

• Learn how to take your BP correctly from a health care professional.
• Do not rely on "friends who have done it a million times before."
• Never use the free BP machines you find in many supermarkets or drug stores. They are simply highly unreliable.
• Always consult your health care provider before implementing any new medication or health care practice.