High Blood Pressure Medication
Treating High Blood Pressure For Best Results

Many people have high blood pressure and do not know it. Usually there are no symptoms as the disease slowly develops and undermines the various organs of your body. Over 58 million Americans with high blood pressure are in need of some type of high blood pressure medication or regular monitoring. In more than half the cases of high blood pressure (hypertention), doctors can control the disease with high blood pressure medication. Many people don't need drugs, but can get the disease under control with changes in lifestyle, such as losing weight, lowering the salt and alcohol intake and exercising.

There has been a great deal of progress in the treatment of high blood pressure in the last two decades, largely because of greater awareness by  patients of their conditions as well as new high blood pressure medication.

High Blood Pressure Medication

• Diuretics - This medicine is a high blood pressure medication that was one of the first used to treat hypertension. It is still a mainstay in high blood pressure treatment. Diuretics work to stimulate the kidneys to remove water and salt from the blood system,  thus reducing blood pressure. They are inexpensive with few serious side effects. The most common side effects are the need to urinate frequently and the lowering of the blood potassium level.
• Beta-Blockers - This high blood pressure medication blocks the action of  adrenaline-like chemicals that normally stimulate the heart, thus slowing the heartbeat and decreasing the force of each contraction. These medicines are less effective in black people and in the elderly. They are more expensive than diuretics, but not as expensive as some of the other newer classes of high blood pressure medications. Side effects include tiredness, decreased libido and impotence in men. They also interfere with circulation causing perpetually cold feet.
• Calcium-Channel Blockers - This type of high blood pressure medication keeps calcium from entering the cells that make up the walls of the heart and small arteries causing them to constrict which raises the blood pressure. These medicines are sometimes preferred to diuretics or beta-blockers because the side effects are minor. Side effects include headaches, constipation, palpitations, dizziness, flushing and swollen ankles. They are fairly a fair expensive high blood pressure medication.

• ACE Inhibitors  -  Like calcium blockers, the ACE inhibitor medicine is a high blood pressure medication that reduces blood pressure by keeping the arteries from constricting. The drugs block an enzyme (angiotensin converting enzyme, or ACE) that is indirectly related to muscular contraction of artery walls. They are gaining favor in the treatment of high blood pressure because they are well tolerated by patients. The side effects of this high blood pressure medication include cough, dizziness, headaches, skin rash and loss of taste.  ACE inhibitors cost about the same as the calcium-channel blockers.
• Vasodilators - This high blood pressure medication works directly on the artery muscles, relaxing them, thereby lowering  the blood pressure.
• Central Agents - In this type of high blood pressure medication, the chemicals work primarily in the lower part of the brain, and prevent nerves from sending out signals to release the hormones that raise blood pressure.

No matter whether you have mild hypertension that can be treated with changes in life style,  or severe severe hypertension that requires treatment with a high blood pressure medication, it is very important to see your doctor for regular visits. Never stop taking a high blood pressure medication on your own, even if you are feeling fine.

For more information about high blood pressure, its causes, symptoms and treatments, see:

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