Why Taking Blood Pressure Meds On and Off Isn’t the Answer

I was recently reminded of why it's so important to have open and honest conversations about blood pressure (BP) and medication.

Two recent stories struck me deeply:

• One from someone in my circle who said, “When I go abroad, my BP is fine, so I stop taking my medication.” Even more worryingly, they don’t tell the nurse or doctor that they're already been diagnosed and on meds.

• The second, a personal and heart breaking one: a relative who was diagnosed with high blood pressure but chose not to take her medication. She had a stroke, which led to significant life changes and long-term care. She did recover for a while — but sadly had another stroke and has now passed away.

  
  

I don’t share this to scare you. I share it because uncontrolled BP is often silent until it isn’t. It can look like everything’s fine — especially when the meds are doing their job. That’s the trap.

I share these stories not just as isolated incidents—they're all too familiar from my years working in pharmacy. These challenges come up often, especially when someone is started on a new medicine.

That’s why the New Medicine Service (NMS) was created. It’s an NHS service specifically designed to support people when they’re prescribed a new long-term medication like blood pressure tablets.

It offers follow-up conversations to answer questions, check for side effects, and help people feel confident taking their medicine. Unfortunately, many people never sign up for it.

In a recent forum with a busy GP practice—where pharmacists are part of their team—none of them had heard of NMS. And it’s been available for over 10 years.

What stood out in that discussion (and others) is a quiet misconception: that when pharmacies offer a service, it's just to “make money.” The truth? Pharmacies, like GP practices, are contracted by the NHS to deliver certain services.

And yes, the NHS pays healthcare professionals to carry them out—because they’re important. These services are about helping people get the best from their treatment, not about profit.

A shift in perspective is needed: these services are there to support you, and your pharmacist is part of your healthcare team.

What Can Go Wrong When You Stop and Start Your BP Meds

1. Your BP rebounds higher: Coming off suddenly can cause a dangerous spike.

   ✅ What you can do: Always talk to your doctor if you're considering a change. Never self-stop.

2. Masked risk = false sense of health: When you stop, your numbers may look fine temporarily due to past medication or lower stress — but the root issue is still there and not dealt with.

   ✅ What you can do: Get a home BP machine to track your BP at home. Ask for a 24-hour BP monitor, subject to criteria, to get a clearer picture.

3. Your doctor doesn’t have the full story: If you don’t say you’re on meds or not taking them as prescribed, the doctor doesn't have the chance to intervene in a way that would really help you.

   ✅ What you can do: Be open with every healthcare provider. Their first priority is to help you not judge you. It can save your life.

Entrepreneurs, Take Note

Effect on your health: Sometimes there is no sign at all. Some may experience fatigue, headaches, vision changes, higher stroke/heart attack risk.

Effect on your business: Less focus, poor decision-making, longer recovery if something goes wrong.

Why Some People Skip Their BP Meds (And What to Do)

1. “I feel fine.”

   🔁 Solution: Learn that feeling fine ≠ being fine. High BP rarely shows symptoms.

2. “I always forget.”

   🔁 Solution: Pair it with a non-negotiable habit (e.g., brushing teeth, breakfast, before taking your house/car keys, place your phone next to the medicine and when your alarm goes, your medicine is right there with some water).

3. “Side effects worry me.”

   🔁 Solution: There are many medication options. Talk to your doctor about alternatives.

4. “I just don't like taking pills.”

   🔁 Solution: Really explore why you don't like taking pills. Remind yourself the benefit is bigger than your dislike. E.g., not many like to wake up to go to work but the benefit overrides the dislike.

Solutions to Remember Your Meds

1. Set a voice reminder in your own words (e.g., “This keeps me healthy and sharp for my business.”)

2. Pair it with a business task: Take your meds before your morning Zoom meeting or client check-in. This way you will asosciate the tast with your medicine and not forget.

3. Link it to a loved one: Think of the person you want to stay healthy for when taking them. That person should be you.

4. Reward yourself: Every day you take your medicine, place a paperclip/marble in a jar/piece of paper in a jar. At the end of the week if you have 7, treat yourself to your favourite movie, match i.e., something healthy and relaxing, not food or drink.

Sometimes, Something Deeper Is Going On…

Here are 4 hidden beliefs that can stop someone from taking their BP meds regularly:

1. “Taking meds means I’m weak.”

   🔓 Reframe: Taking responsibility for your health is a sign of strength and leadership.

2. “It’s just for old people.”

   🔓 Reframe: High BP can affect anyone. It’s about prevention, not age.

3. “If I start now, I’ll be on them forever.”

   🔓 Reframe: “I’m starting now to take control of my heart—one day at a time."

4. “It’s not urgent.”

   🔓 Reframe: It may be silent, but it matters—my quality of life and health matter.

   
   

Heart-Care

There is self-care and there is heart care. Taking care of your heart comes in many ways, taking your BP medicine is one of them.

Maybe your mornings are a blur—answering emails before breakfast, juggling client calls, rushing out the door to meetings.

Maybe you work late, crash into bed, and realize (too late) that you forgot your blood pressure meds again. This is where I come in.

Together, we’ll take a close look at your unique schedule—the busy mornings, the late nights, the back-to-back Zoom calls—and find a realistic, sustainable way to fit your medication into your routine.

Whether it's pairing it with your first coffee, a midday break, or your wind-down ritual, we’ll create a habit that sticks.

Think of it as heart-level self-care—because protecting your health protects your business, your impact, and your legacy.

If you’re struggling to take your BP meds consistently, let’s have a conversation. Let’s make your well-being part of your workflow.

We’ll explore the real reason behind it — whether it’s routine, fear, side effects, or something else — and create a plan to help you take them regularly and confidently.

👉 So you can stay clear-headed in business, avoid long-term health complications, and live the full life you’re building so hard for.

Let's figure it out together, click the button below to schedule our conversation

Heart Care