High Blood Pressure Medicines
Why are high blood pressure medicines prescribed?
Normal blood pressure ranges up to 120/80 ("120 over 80").
Pre-high blood pressure (prehypertension) is from 120/80 to
139/90. If repeated checks of your blood pressure show that
it is higher than 140/90, you have high blood pressure.
Over time, high blood pressure can damage the blood vessels
and vital organs. This can lead to strokes, heart disease,
or kidney disease. Treating high blood pressure decreases
your chances of having heart problems. Weight loss, changes
in your diet, and exercise may be the only treatment you
need. If these lifestyle changes do not lower your blood
pressure enough, your health care provider may prescribe
medicine.
Several kinds of medicines are used to treat high blood
pressure. The medicines may be effective alone, or they may
be used with other drugs.
How do high blood pressure medicines work?
Each type of medicine lowers blood pressure in a different
way.
- Diuretics, also called water pills, rid the body of
excess sodium (salt) and water. This helps control blood
pressure. Examples of diuretics are hydrochlorothiazide
or furosemide.
- Beta blockers reduce the heart rate and the heart's
output of blood, which lowers blood pressure. Examples
include propranolol, atenolol, and metoprolol.
- Vasodilators, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and calcium channel
blockers lower blood pressure by relaxing and opening up
narrowed blood vessels.
- Examples of calcium channel blockers are diltiazem,
verapamil, nifedipine, and amlodipine.
- ACE inhibitors include captopril, enalapril, and
lisinopril.
- ARBs include the drugs irbesartan and valsartan. They
are often used with diuretics and are available
as a combination medicine.
- Examples of vasodilators are nitroglycerin, isosorbide
mononitrate, and hydralazine.
What should I watch out for while taking high blood pressure
medicines?
When you take high blood pressure medicine, it is important
to:
- Take the medicine regularly, exactly as prescribed. Do
not change your dosage or stop taking the medicine without
talking to your provider first. It can be dangerous to
suddenly stop taking blood pressure medicine.
- Tell your provider about any side effects right away.
You may feel dizzy or have headaches while taking these
medicines. Older people may be more sensitive than
younger people to the medicine's effects. It may take
several weeks or months to find the best treatment for
you. Make sure that you keep your follow-up appointments
with your health care provider and let your provider know
how you are tolerating your medicine.
- Check your blood pressure (or have it checked) as often
as your health care provider advises. Ask your provider
if you should have a home blood pressure monitor to check
your blood pressure between visits.
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This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information is intended to inform and educate and is not a
replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
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