High blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, and medication helps to lower this pressure
For those who have high blood pressure, it is important to never miss even a single dose of medication. According to experts, blood pressure medication can prevent serious health complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney issues – especially when lifestyle changes alone are not enough to control it. Doctors say high blood pressure puts extra strain on your heart and blood vessels, and medication helps to lower this pressure, reducing the risk of these dangerous conditions. But when should you take it?
Studies say taking your medicine at nighttime instead of in the morning provides better blood pressure control without compromising daytime blood pressure control and reduces your overall risk of dying due to heart disease by at least 45 per cent.
The reason taking blood pressure medication at night may be more effective is explained by the concept of chronotherapy, which considers the circadian rhythms of patients to improve their response to medications. Circadian rhythms are bodily processes that respond to light and dark and follow a 24-hour cycle.
According to experts, when you wake up in the morning, blood pressure surges and then increases throughout the day. At night when you are sleeping, it tends to drop again, by about 10-20 per cent. However, blood pressure behaves differently for some people who have high blood pressure. A few blood pressure medicines – like diuretics or water pills – are also notorious for increasing your bathroom trips. Taking those at night can mess with your sleep. However, others like ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or ARBs can also be better suited for nighttime use – depending on your body’s pattern.
Do you have a non-dipping BP pattern?
According to experts, a 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring device – a device that can help track your BP during the day and when you sleep – should be there. If your pressure does not go down at night, you may benefit more from evening doses.
Other things that blood pressure medicines have an effect on:
Doctors say your medication would work best if you take it consistently and regularly. If you miss the doses, it might backfire. So, always consult with your doctor before changing the timing, dosage, or skipping it. Here are a few takeaways you can run with if your BP is high despite medication:
- Avoid taking diuretics at night
- Always be regular with your medication
- Always eat a healthy and fresh diet
- Exercise regularly
- Do not compromise on sleep
- Try to reduce stress through meditation and yoga techniques
