A question of attitude | Seniors Guide

            

Patient should participate

It is imperative that causal research determine whether or not the patient is using his medicine reliably. "If my blood pressure is low, I'll drop the drug and if it's high, I'll take it again." Cardiologist Prohaska hears such sentences from many of his patients. Some, however, do not talk about it. "If, as a doctor, I start from a fixed therapy and the values ​​do not decrease, I increase the dose." A vicious circle! "

The intensive exchange between doctor and patient, especially during the difficult period of adjustment, is therefore a prerequisite for long-term success: How does the patient take his medication? In the prescribed dose? Always at the same time? Prohaska is convinced that it will not be possible to decide on the success or failure of the medication until these questions have been clarified.

But not only misunderstandings, as far as loyalty is concerned, it must be dispelled. With the amount of active ingredients also increases the number of adverse effects: dizziness, an unusual tiredness, erectile dysfunction in men, urinary frequency, a dry cough: Depending on where the drug is used, unpleasant side effects may occur, it is just not before the drug treatment was.

"Sometimes patients come to us who, according to the file, take seven different antihypertensives and on average have values ​​of 180 in a 24-hour blood pressure measurement," says Hypertension Assistant Ines Petzold from the Dresden Municipal Hospital. "If I then get to the bottom of this, there are three or four preparations untouched in the drawer!" Is it an isolated case? Rather not, estimates Petzold, who runs a self-help group for hypertensive patients and know their worries and errors from many conversations. "The danger that someone simply omits one or the other preparation because of possible side effects is great!"

There would be relief, such as a different dose, an alternative drug or a combination of several drugs, which often lowers the rate of side effects. Provided that the patient gives notice and brings patience with it when it comes to the drug setting. "It can sometimes take up to six months until everything is coordinated and the body has gotten used to it," Krämer emphasizes.