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High Blood Pressure MedicationsInformation, Articles, Resources
Nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure. But because there are no symptoms, many of these people don't know they have it. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure. Blood pressure is the force exerted on the arteries by the blood passing through them. High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure of the blood in the arteries. High blood pressure means that your heart is working harder than normal to force blood into the arteries and through the circulatory system. Hypertension results from two major factors:
Normal blood pressure is below 120/80; blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called “pre-hypertension”, and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered high blood pressure (hypertension). The systolic blood pressure, which is the top number, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart contracts and pumps blood into the arteries. The diastolic pressure, which is the bottom number, represents the pressure in the arteries as the heart relaxes after the contraction. The diastolic pressure, therefore, reflects the minimum pressure to which the arteries are exposed. Many people do not suspect that they have hypertension and are shocked and surprised when they learn they do. It is important to take steps to keep blood pressure under control as it can lead to strokes and heart attacks. Mild hypertension can be treated and controlled by adopting healthy lifestyle habits like changing diet and increasing exercise. If lifestyle changes alone are not effective in controlling your blood pressure or in case of more severe hypertension, it may be necessary to add modern blood pressure medications which are well tried, safe and in many people have very few side effects. The goal of treatment is blood pressure below 140/90 and lower for people with other conditions, such as diabetes and kidney disease. There is now a large range of medications used to lower blood pressure. Medications work in different ways in different people. They may lower blood pressure in one person, but less so in another. Treatment for high blood pressure must be highly individualized and based on your risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking, and heart disease. The main classes of High Blood Pressure medications include:
High Blood Pressure medications are drugs only available through prescription. Price-RX.com offers you price comparison of the following High Blood Pressure medications used for treatment or prevention of bacterial infections: Angiotensin II receptor antagonists Angiotensin II receptor antagonists, also known as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) or AT1-receptor antagonists, are a group of pharmaceuticals which modulate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Their main use is in hypertension, diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage due to diabetes) and congestive heart failure. No drugs in this class are currently available in generic formulations. Losartan (Cozaar) is the oldest drug in this class and will most likely be the first of the ARBs to become available generically. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) are generally well tolerated with mild side effects such as fatigue, dizziness, diarrhea, upper respiratory tract infection, and headache. According to clinical trial data, the frequency of side effects among the ARBs is similar. Diuretics Diuretics are sometimes called "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body. They work in a similar way to reducing the salt in your diet. These tablets may initially make you pass more urine than usual. For this reason they should be taken at a time convenient for you. These tablets are often used along with other tablets for 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. Blood vessels open, blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. These drugs can give you side effects that are very general, a lack of energy and interest, for example falling asleep in front of the television. They are now used less often to treat high blood pressure. Calcium-Channel Blockers (CCBs) Calcium-Channel Blockers keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. CCBs open up the blood vessels making it easier for the heart to work. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (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 drops. Angiotensin Receptor Blockers Angiotensin Receptor Blockers work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors. This medications shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. The vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down. Side effects are usually mild but - may include dizziness and very rarely acute allergy. Alpha Blockers Alpha Blockers work by reducing nerve impulses to blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down. May be useful in men with prostatic symptoms, for example passing urine at night and poor urine stream. Nervous system inhibitors Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down. Platelet aggregation inhibitors Pharmacies, Prices
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