High Blood Pressure Medications
Having high blood pressure or hypertension is potentially very serious. A systolic blood pressure reading of 160 or more and a diastolic reading of 100 or greater is what doctors refer to a stage 2 high blood pressure. In instances such as this high blood pressure medication is essential to regulate and reduce readings. Often more than one type of medication will be prescribed.
Usually the first line of fire is from a diuretic drug which will help the body to rid itself of any additional fluid and sodium which may be in the system. By removing excess sodium and fluid the blood pressure should be lowered. This type of high blood pressure medication is usually prescribed for stage 2 high blood pressure and the less serious stage 1 high blood pressure. For cases with stage 2 high blood pressure additional medication is usually required. This can take the form of various different drugs which we will have a look at now:-
Beta Blockers - These are commonly prescribed and help to lower the blood pressure by decreasing signals to the heart and blood vessels from the nervous system
Ace Inhibitors - This high blood pressure medication works by preventing the body producing too much of a hormone which makes blood vessels contract, keeping them in a more relaxed state.
Calcium Channel Blockers - With this medication calcium is unable to get to the heart and blood vessel cells in the muscle, again promoting relaxation of cells thus reducing the blood pressure readings.
Angiotensin Receptor Blockers - high blood pressure medication in this category works by making the blood vessels expand by preventing the hormone Angiotensin from affecting them.
It is vital that greatly increased blood pressure is treated quickly and that the medication works fast to lower the blood pressure and avoid the complications which can occur if treatment is not received. To do this a combination of a couple of drugs is often more effective.
A combination of high blood pressure medications will help to give the patient protection against strokes, heart attacks, kidney failure and heart failure. In a few cases they may take more medication with 3 or more medications being prescribed to control these conditions alongside the blood pressure. This can also be the case for stage 1 high blood pressure. For example if you suffer angina you may be given a beta blocker to reduce the chest pain, or maybe diuretics and ACE inhibitors to greatly reduce the risk of suffering a heart attack or stroke if you suffer from kidney problems and diabetes as well as high blood pressure.
Every case is unique and the combination of medications may take a little while to be refined to what works for the individual. However, it is essential that this medication is taken regularly and correctly to avoid any major health emergencies.