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.