Are Your Symptoms Side-Effects Of Blood Pressure Medication?

On average, one in three Americans is diagnosed with high blood pressure. Half of the individuals diagnosed with high blood pressure have their condition under control. The primary reason patients struggle to control their blood pressure is the decision to stop taking their medications. Side effects of blood pressure medications are fatigue, weakness, and dry cough. Physicians have learned smaller doses of many different blood pressure medications can be the way to address these issues.

Are Your Symptoms Side-Effects Of Blood Pressure Medication?

Scientists have learned that smaller doses of two or more medications are as effective as total doses. Taking four different medications can be more effective, still. People who take smaller doses of different medications report fewer side effects than patients taking one medication. 

For years, physicians have tried to find practical, safe ways to manage high blood pressure. Initially, physicians aimed for 140/90 as a blood pressure target. Studies have shown that 120/80 is more effective for preventing strokes, heart attacks, and heart disease. Patients who take hypertension medication report these symptoms:

• Fatigue: Some hypertension medication causes a feeling of exhaustion. 
• Dizziness: Patients report feeling dizzy and unsteady when taking their medications.
• Fainting: In some extreme cases, hypertension medications can cause patients to lose consciousness briefly. 
• Increased urination: Some hypertension medications also act as a diuretic. Increased urination is a side effect of these medications. For many patients, this side effect clears up in a few weeks.
• Erectile dysfunction: Some beta-blockers can cause men difficulty maintaining an erection.
• Leg swelling: Water retention or inflamed blood vessels can cause your legs to swell.
• Coughing: Some ACE inhibitors can cause a dry, hacking cough. 

Many patients require more than one medication to lower their blood pressure. Physicians want their patients’ blood pressure to remain at a healthy range. It’s generally more effective to add a second medication. Adding a second medication prevents physicians from prescribing a higher dose of the medication already being taken. Taking lower doses of multiple medications is more effective and safer than one high-dose medication.

There are other ways to lower the dose of your medication safely. You can use a pill splitter to divide your medication. Blood pressure medications are essential to preventing heart attacks if you have heart disease. If you’ve been diagnosed with heart disease, don’t split your pills without your physician’s consent. 

If you’re still in the early stages of hypertension without heart disease, your physician can lower your medication dose. In an ideal situation, patients should be prescribed the lowest dose possible. When visiting your doctor, ensure you have all your medications reviewed and discuss side effects.

Hypertension Treatment with Conroe Family Doctor

At Conroe Family Doctor, we can help you lower your medication’s dose safely and effectively. Our patients’ safety always comes first, and Dr. Trang D Nguyen is a hypertension expert. If you’ve been diagnosed with hypertension and want to lower your medication dose, call us at (936) 441-2012 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nguyen. Your health is essential to us, and we want to ensure your medications are safe and effective.