What to do when you forget to take blood pressure medication?

For people with high blood pressure, forgetting to take blood pressure medication is very dangerous, increasing the risk of complications such as heart attack, stroke...

Antihypertensive drugs can help lower blood pressure to a safe level, reduce symptoms and prevent dangerous cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke...

In case the patient forgets to take a dose of medication, there are a number of ways to do this:

1. Steps to take immediately if you miss a dose of blood pressure medication

When forgetting to take a dose of blood pressure medication, the patient should:

- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it, right after the time you should have taken the medicine.

- If the time to forget to take the medicine is long, close to the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue the normal medication schedule.

- Never take two doses at the same time. Overdose can cause a sudden/too rapid drop in blood pressure, which is also dangerous. The patient may feel dizzy or faint...

Taking blood pressure medication regularly helps reduce the risk of dangerous complications.

2. How to prevent forgetting to take medication?

Missing one dose of medication may not have much of an impact on blood pressure, but missing doses regularly can lead to high blood pressure and a higher risk of heart attack or stroke.

If you often forget to take your medication, you should follow some of the tips below to form a consistent habit:

- Set an alarm: Use the alarm on your phone to remind you when it's time to take your medication.

- Use a medication reminder app on your smartphone.

Use a pill box with separate compartments labeled with the date and time of medication.

- Stick notes in visible places.

- Keep medicine in a visible place: On the nightstand in the bedroom, on the dining table or kitchen counter, next to the toothbrush in the bathroom... Note, if there are small children in the family, make sure all medicines are out of reach of children.

- Keep a spare dose in your wallet, purse or desk so you can easily take it if you suddenly remember you forgot to take your blood pressure medication.

- Make sure you don't run out of medication: Always check and refill as soon as your medication is almost gone to ensure you don't miss a dose because you've run out.

3. Tips to ensure you take your medication regularly

To ensure regular medication use, patients should:

- Make a habit of taking your medication at the same time every day. Consult your doctor/pharmacist about whether to take your medication before, after, or with food.

You can find a time to take your medicine that is easy to remember and convenient for your personal life, for example: Take your medicine when you wake up, go to bed, or during the day with a light meal... to help you remember to take your medicine easily.

- Use a pill box with separate compartments labeled with the date and time of taking the medication.

- You can ask your family for help if you often forget to take your medicine.

- Talk to your doctor if you experience any conditions that may affect your ability to take the medication: Anxiety/side effects; not understanding the medication you are taking/being confused between medications; thinking the medication is not working; having depression or memory loss…

- Patients need to know about blood pressure medication, the reasons why they need to take blood pressure medication. Take blood pressure medication when: Blood pressure is above 140/90 mmHg; history of high blood pressure, stroke or heart problems... Understanding the importance of taking blood pressure medication will help patients pay attention to taking medication on time.

Source: https://giadinh.suckhoedoisong.vn/lam-gi-khi-quen-uong-thuoc-huyet-ap-172250107160921585.htm