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WHICH BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICATION IS BEST AT DIFFERENT STAGES

By Tess Thompson

Blood pressure readings are given in two numbers. The first number is called the systolic pressure and the second is called diastolic pressure. Contractions of the heart, especially the ventricles, are known as systole.

Systolic pressure is the first number in the reading and reflects this contraction and the sudden spurt of oxygenated blood into the arteries for supply to organs and tissues. Diastole is the widening of the chambers of the heart between two contractions when the chambers fill with blood. The diastolic pressure represents this relaxation or dilation of the heart.

Fluctuations in blood pressure by the minute are normal in every individual. Chronic hypertension is a condition when this pressure does not reduce during the course of the day. This can prove to be a serious disorder.

The four stages of blood pressure readings are as follows:

* Normal blood pressure - below 120/80.
* Pre-hypertension - systolic pressure between120 and 139 or diastolic is from 80 to 89.
* Stage 1 hypertension - systolic pressure between 140 and 159 or diastolic between 90 and 99
* Stage 2 hypertension - systolic higher than 160 or diastolic pressure of 100 or higher.

Normally pre-hypertension does not require any medication unless it is accompanied by another medical condition, say diabetes or heart disease. In that event, diuretics are usually prescribed to flush out excess water and sodium form the system to lower the blood pressure.

Stage 1 and 2 require aggressive treatment with second or third step high blood pressure medication. Usually, doctors prefer the stepped care treatment module for bringing down blood pressure.

Your doctor will first try diuretics to reduce your blood pressure and also suggest natural remedies for high blood pressure like changes in diet, quitting smoking, temperance in intake of alcohol and mild exercises.

If these do not work then he will probably choose from the wide range of other high blood pressure medications.

* Beta blockers reduce nerve signals to the heart and blood vessels, thus resulting in lowering blood pressure.
* Angiotensin converting enzymes (ACE) convert the physiologically inactive angiotensin I into angiotensin II that causes narrowing of blood pressure resulting in high blood pressure. ACE inhibitor drugs curb this conversion, thus reducing blood pressure.
* Angiotensin II receptor blockers retard or restrain the action of angiotensin II, thus allowing the blood vessels to widen for better circulation of blood.
* Calcium channel blockers are a class of drugs that block the flow of the electrolyte calcium in smooth muscle contraction of the heart. This causes the cells to relax and allow better unrestricted flow of blood in the vessels.

There is no distinction between treatment of stage 1 and stage 2 of hypertension except that your doctor has to see whether one or more medicines will suffice. In extremely serious conditions even three might be prescribed.

References:
http://mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure-medication/HI00028