Hypertension Medication
The following types of hypertension medication are
available:
ACE inhibitors: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to
narrow. The ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and blood pressure goes
down.
Diuretics: Diuretics are sometimes called water
pills because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body, lowering blood
pressure.
Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to
the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. As a result of these drugs, the
blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard.
Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to
blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down.
Angiotensin antagonists: Angiotensin antagonists shield
blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure
goes down.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs): CCBs keep calcium from
entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to
relax and pressure goes down.
Alpha-beta-blockers: Alpha-beta-blockers work the same
way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. As a result of using
these drugs, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down.
Nervous system inhibitors: Nervous system inhibitors
relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses, and this causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood
pressure to go down.
Vasodilators: Vasodilators directly open blood vessels
by relaxing the muscles in the vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down.
See also - aspirin and high blood pressure
Also read about - natural remedies for high blood pressure
Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the
arteries.
It is usually agreed amongst medical professionals that somewhere between
110/70 mmHg and 125/80 mmHg is considered to be an average, acceptable blood pressure for an adult person, though
someone with naturally low blood pressure may be closer to a range of 100/60
mmHg
There are no hard and fast figures that determine what represents a
‘normal’ blood pressure. Very often doctors and other experts cannot decide between them what an ideal blood
pressure range is for an adult.
A blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg is considered to be high, though it becomes
nearer to the ‘normal’ as a person grows older. Evidence and research has shown that blood pressure levels do
increase with age and this does not necessarily mean there will be serious health problems.
It is important to take steps to keep your blood pressure under
control. The treatment goal is to keep blood pressure below 140/90, or even lower for people
with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease.
Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is an essential and effective first step
in both preventing and controlling high blood pressure. However, if lifestyle changes alone are
not effective in keeping your pressure controlled, it may be necessary to take blood pressure
medications.
To find out if you have hypertension consult your doctor and have a blood
pressure test. The test is quick and painless.
To determine which life style changes and medications are appropriate,
consult your doctor.
More articles to read......
Latest high blood pressure bulletin
news
High blood
pressure
Pregnancy and chronic hypertension
Medication for high blood
pressure Physical symptoms of high blood pressure
Can anyone suffer from high
blood pressure ?
High blood pressure
tests
Healthy life
changes
Stress and high blood
pressure
Natural remedies for high blood
pressure
High blood pressure in the
elderly
Preeclampsia pregnancy induced
hypertension
High blood pressure and
salt
HRT and high blood
pressure
Aspirin and High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure and weak
respiratory muscles
Causes of hypertension
High blood pressure
symptoms Resource Directory
Alternative medicine
resources
Nutrition
resources
Weight loss
resources
General health and fitness
resources
© Copyright
2006 - 2013 www.high-bloodpressure.com - hypertension medication
|