Is it okay to take an overdose of blood pressure medication?

All people with high blood pressure are advised to make healthy lifestyle changes. Whether or not to take the medication depends on your blood pressure readings and your risk of developing problems like a heart attack or stroke. Your doctor will do some blood and urine tests and ask health questions to determine your risk for other problems.
If your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90mmHg (or 135/85mmHg measured at home) but your risk of other problems is low – you will be advised to make some changes to your lifestyle
If your blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 mmHg (or 135/85 mmHg measured at home) and your risk of other problems is high – you may need medication to lower your blood pressure in addition to lifestyle changes
If patient's blood pressure is consistently above 160/100mmHg – the patient will be prescribed medication to lower blood pressure in addition to lifestyle changes.

Certain medications can be used to help control high blood pressure. Many people need to take a combination of different blood pressure medications.
If the patient is under 55 years of age, an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin-2 receptor blocker is usually indicated.
If the patient is 55 years of age or older or any age and is of African or Caribbean origin - a calcium channel blocker is indicated.

Once diagnosed with high blood pressure, the person may need to take blood pressure medication for the rest of his or her life. However, your doctor may reduce or stop treatment if your blood pressure remains under control for several years. It is really important to take your medication as directed. If a dose is missed, the drug's ability to control will be limited.
On the contrary, if you arbitrarily increase the dose of blood pressure medicine because you want to lower your blood pressure more than directed by your doctor or accidentally double the dose, excessively low blood pressure or blood pressure can also affect your health. of the patient.

Low blood pressure seems desirable, and for some people it doesn't cause problems. However, for people with high blood pressure, taking an overdose of blood pressure medication that causes abnormally low blood pressure (hypotension) can cause dizziness and fainting. In severe cases, low blood pressure can be life-threatening.
A blood pressure reading less than 90 mm of mercury (mmHg) for the top number (systolic) or 60 mmHg for the bottom number (diastolic) is generally considered low blood pressure. However, in some patients who already have high blood pressure, when the blood pressure reading is still above 90 mmHg, there are symptoms of hypotension if an overdose of blood pressure medication is taken. Because a sudden drop in blood pressure can be dangerous, a change of just 20 mm Hg — such as a drop from 110 systolic to 90 mmHg systolic — can cause dizziness and fainting when the brain isn't getting enough blood.
Symptoms of low blood pressure when taking an overdose of blood pressure medicine are dizziness or lightheadedness, maybe even fainting; blurred vision, nausea, fatigue and lack of concentration. If excessive hypotension can lead to a life-threatening condition with the following danger signs, requiring urgent medical help:
Confusion, especially in the elderly Skin cold, rough, pale Breathing fast, shallow Pulse weak and fast

The most common antihypertensives that can cause low blood pressure are diuretics (such as furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), alpha blockers (such as prazosin), beta blockers (such as atenolol and propranolol), drugs pulmonary vasodilators (including sildenafil or tadalafil) or the antianginal drug nitroglycerin.
Treatment of overdose of blood pressure medication is mainly supportive treatment, closely monitoring the patient's hemodynamics, waiting for the half-life of the drug and the body's circulatory system to recover on its own. However, if an overdose of blood pressure medication leads to a drop in blood pressure, sometimes medical intervention is needed, especially when the patient has symptoms of ischemia of the organs. Intensive intravenous fluid resuscitation to maintain effective circulating volume is the first line of action. In some cases, it may be necessary to take an antagonist or dialysis to remove the blood pressure medication taken, mainly in cases of intentional overdose of blood pressure medication to commit suicide.

There are several changes you can make to your lifestyle to reduce high blood pressure. Some of these will effectively lower blood pressure within a few weeks, while others may take longer to work.
Reduce salt: Cut salt intake to less than 6g per day, which is about a teaspoon.

Build a healthy diet: Balanced nutrition, low in fat - including lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. Increase exercise, exercise Limit alcohol, beer and drink less caffeine - found in coffee, tea and cola Losing weight or maintaining an ideal weight Stop smoking These measures can be taken today, regardless of whether a person is taking blood pressure medication or not. In fact, by making these changes early, a person can avoid the need for antihypertensive medication or stabilize blood pressure control with medication, as well as avoid the risk of overdosing on blood pressure medication or suffering from severe side effects. Side effects of medications.
In short, taking blood pressure medicine safely is about following the correct medication type, dose and regularity on a daily basis. There is no definitive cure for high blood pressure. Thus, a positive attitude to lifestyle changes combined with taking medication according to the doctor's instructions are the prerequisites to help keep blood pressure stable in the long term.
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References: medlineplus.gov, medicalnewstoday.com, webmd.com