MEDICATION FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Many people go through a
trial-and-error phase with blood pressure medications. You may need to try
different medicines until you find one or a combination of medications that
work for you.
Some of the medications used to treat
hypertension include:
- Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers make
your heart beat slower and with less force. This reduces the amount of
blood pumped through your arteries with each beat, which lowers blood
pressure. It also blocks certain hormones in your body that can raise your
blood pressure.
- Diuretics: High sodium levels and
excess fluid in your body can increase blood pressure. Diuretics,
also called water pills, help your kidneys remove excess sodium from your
body. As the sodium leaves, extra fluid in your bloodstream moves into
your urine, which helps lower your blood pressure.
- ACE inhibitors: Angiotensin is a chemical
that causes blood vessels and artery walls to tighten and narrow. ACE
(angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors prevent the
body from producing as much of this chemical. This helps blood vessels
relax and reduces blood pressure.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): While
ACE inhibitors aim to stop the creation of angiotensin, ARBs block
angiotensin from binding with receptors. Without the chemical, blood
vessels won’t tighten. That helps relax vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Calcium channel blockers: These
medications block some of the calcium from entering the
cardiac muscles of your heart. This leads to less forceful heartbeats and
a lower blood pressure. These medicines also work in the blood vessels,
causing them to relax and further lowering blood pressure.
- Alpha-2 agonists: This type of medication
changes the nerve impulses that cause blood vessels to tighten. This helps
blood vessels to relax, which reduces blood pressure.
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