Medication for High Blood Pressure

For your information, antihypertensives are available to lower high blood pressure. Diuretics rid the body of excess fluids and salt (sodium) and should be used as initial therapy for most patients. Other medications called beta-blockers reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood.

Antihypertensive also is called sympathetic nerve inhibitors. Sympathetic nerves go from the brain to all parts of the body, including the arteries. They can cause the arteries to constrict, raising blood pressure. This class of drugs reduces blood pressure by inhibiting these nerves from constricting blood vessels.
Another group of drugs is the vasodilators. These can cause the muscle in the walls of the blood vessels to relax, allowing the vessel to dilate.

This is a example drugs used to treat high blood pressure

1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Interfere with the body's production of angiotensin, a chemical that causes the arteries to constrict.

2. Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Block the effects of angiotensin.

3. Calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers)
- Can reduce the heart rate and relax blood vessels.

For treating high blood pressure may require lots of time, patience and care by both doctor and patient. It may be annoying to take pills and possibly have side effects, especially if you felt fine before treatment. Don't be discouraged if you must be treated indefinitely. Some people can reduce their drug dosages after achieving normal blood pressure and maintaining it for a year or more. (You usually can't stop treatment entirely.) Coping with the inconvenience of medication is still much better than suffering a stroke or heart attack. Most people who are treated successfully live a long and healthy life.

Everyone with high blood pressure doesn't need to be treated with the drugs listed here. Some people may do just as well by reducing weight, eating properly and getting the right amount of physical activity. Don't insist that your doctor use a certain drug because you've read or heard about its effect on other people. You can have a serious side effect if you take a "wonder drug" that isn't right for you. Let your doctor decide what drug, if any, to use.

If your doctor recommends medication, remember that people respond very differently to these medications. That's why you might have to go through a trial period to find out which medications work best with the fewest side effects. Your blood pressure is only lowered while you are taking these medications. That's why medication can't be stopped, in most cases, even after blood pressure is lowered. Some treatment must be continued over a lifetime for good results.

-Here is a checklist for taking your prescriptions.
-Use this handy chart to keep track of your medications.

Here are some drugs used to treat high blood pressure. Your doctor may prescribe others. This list isn't all-inclusive.