The goal of going on blood pressure medication is clear: to get your blood pressure readings in a healthy range. If you’re on blood pressure meds but readings are still high, you may be feeling ready to give up. Good news: A visit to your doctor can help you get the results you’re after.
Your care provider isn’t magic. Neither are blood pressure pills. Your care provider is, however, trained in medicine. They have the knowledge and expertise to help troubleshoot why your medication isn’t working for you. Often, a simple tweak or two can get you the in-range readings you’re hoping for. Here are five questions your doctor might ponder:
Are they taking the medication as prescribed?
Some people take their pills every other day to make them last longer. Some split them in half. Doing this can save money. But it also means the medication dose is incorrect. Be honest with your doctor about how much of your meds you’ve been taking.
Should we adjust the dose?
If you are taking the meds as prescribed, you may need a higher dose to see the benefits. Only your provider can decide if this is safe and appropriate, however. They can look at the big picture and decide if more of the same medication would help.
Is this the right medication?
There are many types of meds used to treat high blood pressure. How high your blood pressure was at diagnosis, your overall health, and other factors play a role in which pill your doctor prescribes. Not everyone responds to every medication. It can take some trial and error to find the one that’s the best fit for you.
Should we add another medication?
For some people, one med is not enough. Your doctor may try an approach called combination treatment. Pairing certain drugs can help some people see better results. Low-dose diuretics, for instance, may be added to other meds like beta blockers. Depending on your needs, a pairing of meds might be best.
Is something else going on?
In a condition called resistant hypertension, blood pressure can be very hard to treat. For people with this condition, there may be an underlying condition driving blood pressure up. Your provider will know when it’s time to explore more. Factors may include sleep apnea, renal artery stenosis, issues with hormones and more.
If you’re on blood pressure meds and not seeing results, don’t give up. Your doctor has the tools to troubleshoot.