Take your meds the right way, every day

As Sharron’s experience shows, high blood pressure often has no symptoms, so it can be easy to forget to take needed medication. Here are some helpful tips from Gregory Pokrywka, MD, FACP, Director of the Baltimore Lipid Center and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine:
• Know your medications. Learn the correct doses and know what each medication is for. Ask your doctor and/or pharmacist when you should take your meds and whether they should be taken with food and/or water. Also, bring all medication containers to each doctor’s visit so you won’t have to say, “the little blue ones make me constipated”—you’ll be able to be specific.
• Speak up about side effects. Don’t discontinue medication without telling your doctor. If side effects are bothersome, ask about alternative medications and/or dosing regimens.
• Take meds on time. Ask family members to remind you. Try pillboxes divided into sections for each day, or those with electronic reminders. Take your medication at a specific time each day. If you’ll be away from home during the day, carry enough medication so you can take needed doses while you’re out.
• Track your progress. Schedule regular doctor’s visits to monitor how well the drug is working. Newer home blood pressure monitors are automatic and user-friendly.