Sign up for our Email Newsletter & Receive a Free Health Ebook!

TYPES OF BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION AND HOW THEY WORK

By Tess Thompson

Treating hypertension or high blood pressure requires a fair amount of patience on the part of the patient as well as the doctor. In some cases a lifelong treatment is necessary for good results.

The fact is that your blood pressure may be under control only due to the high blood pressure medication that you are taking and may revert to higher levels once you stop taking them. Even though the dosage may be reduced after some time, say a year or so, a total respite from medications is almost never possible.

Taking pills can be frustrating at times and so can the side effects, especially when you know that the treatment may continue indefinitely. Some people do manage to lower their blood pressure by adopting natural remedies for blood pressure and changes in diet but in severe conditions it may be difficult to avoid medication.

In this age of easy information there are cases when patients insist upon a so called wonder drug that they may have read about. It is best to let your doctor decide which class of high blood pressure medication has the least potential of side effects in your case. At the same time, there is no harm to keep yourself well informed of the types of high blood pressure medications and how they work inside your body, especially because it is a long term therapy.

Diuretics

Commonly known as ‘water pills’, diuretics are the first choice for most patients in most cases. This class of medication tends to increase the flow of urine that enables the expulsion of excess water and sodium from the body.

Beta-Blockers

These medicines decrease the force and rate of heart contractions by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors of the autonomic nervous system. The receptors of the sympathetic nervous system affect only some sympathetic activities such as dilation of vessels and increased heart beat. The end result is that the blood pressure is lowered as a result of a slower heart beat.

Calcium channel blockers

This type of medication restricts calcium from entering the blood vessels and the muscle cells of the heart. This causes the blood vessels to relax so that blood pressure returns to normal.

ACE Inhibitors

The hormone known as angiotensin II is responsible for narrowing the blood vessels. ACE inhibitors restrict the production of angiotensin II and relax the blood vessels ensuring that the blood pressure goes down.

Alpha –blockers

Alpha-blockers reduce the nerve impulses to blood vessels to allow for a free flow of blood through blood vessels and the blood pressure goes down.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators open the blood vessels directly by relaxing the muscles of the walls of blood vessels.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)

Restrict the effects of angiotensin.

Blood pressure normally has a rhythm and is highest when you wake up and lowest when you are asleep. The best time to take your medicine depends upon the end goal of treatment and the type of high blood pressure medication. All medicines are designed in different ways. Self medication can be dangerous, so it is always better to avoid it.

References:
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/bpd_type.htm
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=2141
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure-medication/AN01017