Blood Pressure

Blood pressure medication: choosing the best

Blood pressure problems like Hypotension or Hypertension affect every aspect of life. This is why it is important to treat them correctly. There are a lot of blood pressure drugs available: Nicardipine, Methyldopa, Minoxidil, HCTZ, Amlodipine, Hydrochlorothiazide etc. In order to choose right treatments you should consult your doctor first. This way you will get safe recommendations that help you to become healthier and feel better. However, you should know the most popular medicine names and brands, principles of work etc.

Blood pressure problems

Pressure is measured in mmHg. It can be examined by your doctor who will tell you your result in mmHg. Generally there are three conditions of blood pressure:

• normal
• low
• high

Normal blood pressure ideally should be 120/80 mmHg or below. This level minimizes risks of heart stroke or diseases. It's characterized by good state of health. If the number is lower than 90/60 mmHg, it means that blood pressure is low. You might notice it by following symptoms:

1. Nausea
2. Lack of concentration
3. Dizziness
4. Fainting
5. Headaches
6. Cold and pale skin
7. Blurred vision

When the number is over 140/90 mmHg, it is hypertensive blood pressure. The problem here is that in most cases it has no signs or symptoms. Hypertensive blood pressure is also called 'silent killer'. You won't experience nosebleed or headache. However this is very dangerous. You shouldn't diagnose yourself, the best option is to consult a specialist immediately. The reason of the high pressure might be another disease like Angina.

High blood pressure medication list

Blood pressure drugs are divided in several classes. Each group has its own principle of work.

Diuretics

These drugs increase urination that helps to get rid of fluid and sodium in the organism. The blood volume is lowered so the blood pressure lowers too. Diuretics may be used alone in mild cases, however it usually is combined with other treatments. The list of diuretics includes: Lasix, Torsemide, Hyzaar also known as Losartan, Metolazone, Hydrochlorothiazide etc. They should be prescribed by a specialist, who knows about side-effects and doses of Hydrochlorothiazide.

Beta Blockers

This type of medicine acts directly on the heart. These drugs reduce the force of pumping and heart rate. Atenolol, Carvedilol, HCTZ, Esmilol, Labetalol are beta blockers.

ACE Inhibitors

There is a hormone in human body that is called Angiotensin. It is responsible for narrowing blood vessels. The ACE inhibitors decrease the production of Angiotensin, so the blood pressure could get lower. They include: Captopril, Lisinopril, Monopril, Lotensin, Benazepril hydrochloride etc.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

In order to work properly hormone Angiotensin needs a place to bind. Treatments that are Angiotensin II Receptor blockers are necessary for preventing the binding, so the pressure gets lower. Cozaar, Azilsartan, Teveten, Avapro are Engiotensin II Receptor blockers.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium is known for forcing contractions in blood vessels and in the heart. To reduce the effect doctors use drugs that block the element. Calcium blockers include: Adalat, Amlodipine, Cleviprex, Diltiazem hydrochloride, Nicardipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil hydrochloride, etc.

Alpha Blockers

This kind of medication causes blood vessels to dilate, so the blood pressure lowers. Alpha Blockers include: Terazorin, Prazosin hydrochloride, Cardura etc.

Alpha-2 Receptor Agonist

Methyldopa, also known as Aldomet, is one of the oldest drugs that are still in use – it was added to the list more than 50 years ago. Methyldopa affects the central nervous system in order to lower the blood pressure.

Central Agonists

This type of medicine work in the the central nervous system. It has a tendency to cause side-effects like drowsiness. Central Agonists Drugs include: Catapres, Guanfacine hydrochloride.

Peripheral Adrenergic inhibitors

This kind of blood pressure medication work in the brain and block signals that are responsible for blood vessels constrictions. However, nowadays they are rarely used because of various side-effects. The list consists of: Reserpine, Ismelin, Hylorel etc. Reseprine is also called Serpasil. It was created in the 1950s. Doctors use Reseprine only when other high blood pressure medicine fail to help, cause it causes numerous side-effects.

Vasolidators

Vasolidators's work principle is that they relax arteries wall muscles, and blood pressure drops. This kind of blood pressure medicine usually isn't used alone. They include Minoxidil and Hydralazine.

Doctors also use various metabolite substances like Albumin, Cytochrome, etc. to solve heart, arteries problems.

Common side-effects

Side-effects of blood pressure pills depend on the class of the medication. Pressure changes might affect various organs, arteries, etc.

• Diuretics may lead to hypokalemia, or a potassium loss. It can cause problems with muscular functions of the heart. There are possible blood sugar changes, increased urination, thirst. Severe skin reactions may be caused by thiazide diuretics like Hydrochlorothiazide. So make sure that your doctor is informed about any changes in your health after you start taking Hydrochlorothiazide.
• Beta blockers – HCTZ, Labetalol, Furosemide, Carvedilol - affect the heart rate. Because of them it might slow down. Side-effects include: weakness, fainting, dizziness.
• ACE inhibitors may cause dry cough. In most cases it goes away with continued use of the medication. If ACE inhibitors lower the blood pressure too much you will feel dizziness, reduced kidney function, headaches.
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers may cause increased potassium level in blood. Symptoms are: dizziness, fatigue, headache, upset stomach.
• Calcium channel blockers - Diltiazem hydrochloride, Nicardipine, Amlodipine, Verapamil hydrochloride - are likely to cause side-effects: dizziness, nausea, headaches, heartburn. This is why Amlodipine, Nicardipine should be taken by doctor's prescription.
• Alpha blockers treating - Prazosin hydrochloride, Cardura - may cause sudden drop in blood pressure as you stand up. Severe cases include heavy headaches, dizziness or fainting.
• Methyldopa is in most cases highly tolerated. Sometimes patients experience dry mouth, drowsiness, headache. Methyldopa should taken under doctor's control.
• Central agonists like Guanfacine hydrochloride, are very likely to cause side-effects. Patients experience drowsiness, dry mouth or sleepiness.
• Vasolidators blood pressure drugs, including Minoxidil, might cause hair growth, dizziness and weight gain.

Tips for preventing cardiovascular problems

Doctors recommend to follow simple steps that will help you to have a normal blood pressure and healthy arteries:

• eat low-fat dairy products, fresh vegetables and fruits
• exercise regularly, do aerobic workout for at least 40 minutes a day
• don't eat too much sodium salt
• keep healthy weight

Be careful with alcohol. Don't drink more than 1-2 beverages per day. Never mix medicaments like Hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ with any alcohol, it might be dangerous. You also should strictly follow doctors' prescriptions on medication doses. Following these simple rules will help you to experience no hypertensive headache, atrial or arteries problems, that require curing with hydrochlorothiazide, Amlodipine, HCTZ, Angiotensin receptor blockers etc. Make sure that your heart and arteries are healthy – organize an appointment with your doctor.

Store blood pressure pills correctly

Like any other medicine, blood pressure medication should be stored properly. Make sure to read instruction before you put HCTZ, Amlodipine, Methyldopa, Reserpine, Hydrochlorothiazide or any other medicine in the box. Some blood pressure medicine are required to be kept in special conditions. Don't place Amlodipine, HCTZ, Angiotensin receptor blockers, Methyldopa, Salicylate, Nimesulide, Minoxidil, Nicardipine within the children's reach. It's better to store blood pressure treating in the kitchen or bedroom rather than in bathroom.

Choosing the right blood pressure pills like Amlodipine, Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ in most cases is a responsibility of your doctor. Make sure that you inform him or her on various changes that may be side-effects. Control your blood pressure regularly so you could know whether there is any result of the treating by HCTZ, Hydrochlorothiazide, Amlodipine etc.