Hypertension Medications

There are several different kinds of medications that may be used alone or in combination to help you manage your high blood pressure. These medications need to be taken exactly as prescribed. You need to take your medications even if you feel well and remember to refill your prescriptions on time to avoid missing doses. Shoppers Drug Mart offers an email reminder service to help you remember when to get your prescriptions refilled. Click here to access this service, or ask your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist for details.

Be sure you understand why you are taking your medication and how you are supposed to take it so that you can get the most from its use. As with all medications, you may experience side effects from your blood pressure medications. It is important to not stop taking your medication without first consulting your doctor. If you have questions about your medication(s) or side effects you may be experiencing, talk with your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist.

SELF-MONITOR BLOOD PRESSURE REGULARLY

It is important to monitor your blood pressure between doctor visits. This will help your doctor to determine if your lifestyle and medications(s) are working effectively to manage your blood pressure.

Home blood pressure monitoring

Your doctor may recommend that you buy a home blood pressure monitor in order to measure your blood pressure at home on a daily basis (or as recommended by your doctor). An “at home” blood pressure target for otherwise healthy people is 135/85 mmHg or lower. Remember to record your readings and to bring your Heart Profile Logbook to each healthcare provider appointment.

There are many blood pressure monitors available, and your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist can help you choose the one best suited to you. Several features to ask about are:

• Cuff size
• An automatic or manual cuff inflator
• Storing blood pressure results via computer or print out

In order to best monitor your blood pressure at home, follow the instructions that come with your monitor. As well, before taking a blood pressure reading you should:

• Try to remove clothing from your upper arm and place the cuff there
• Wait at least two hours after a big meal or vigorous physical activity and for at least 30 minutes after drinking coffee or smoking
• Empty your bladder and bowels
• Rest and relax in a quiet place for five minutes
• Sit in a chair that supports your back and beside a table that will support your arm at heart level – use a towel or pillow to raise your arm to that level if necessary. Do not cross your legs.
• Follow instructions on your blood pressure monitor
• When possible, take at least two readings and wait one or two minutes between them
• Use the same arm for each measurement, and do the measurements at the same time of day
• Record the measurement in the Heart Health Profile Log Book

In-pharmacy blood pressure testing

You may prefer to measure your blood pressure at an in-pharmacy blood pressure machine. These machines are available at most Shoppers Drug Mart locations. Stop by your local Shoppers Drug Mart store and speak to the Pharmacist about in-pharmacy testing.

Your Shoppers Drug Mart Pharmacist is knowledgeable about high blood pressure and effective ways of managing this condition. The pharmacist is an expert in medication management and can answer questions that you might have about your blood pressure and/or your blood pressure medication(s).

^Sources:

1. ^{Canadian Hypertension Education Prevention : http://hypertension.ca}
2. ^{Heart and Stroke Foundation : http://www.heasrtandstroke.com}
3. ^{Dietitians of Canada : http://www.dietitians.ca}