The best way to manage your hypertension is to know about the various blood pressure medicines. Each prescription medicines used to treat the condition does specific things. The ultimate aim, however, is to lower your readings.
High blood pressure medication serves many purposes. They can be used to widen and relax blood vessels, others remove salt and water from the body. Still others work to slow the heartbeat to reduce the workload on the heart.
The aim of these medications is to reduce the force of blood going through the vessels. The harder this life-giving fluid travels through the vessels and heart, the higher your readings.
Some of these meds are given to patients based on any underlying health conditions they may have. For example, beta blockers are given to patients with angina and other heart irregularities. This is why it is important to discuss other medical issues with your doctor when being treated for hypertension.
People whose readings is not very high is sometimes not placed on meds rights away. Those who fall in this category tend to have readings that hover in the pre-hypertensive stage. The reading for this stage of the disease is 120/80 to 139/89. A diagnosis of hypertension is given when readings are 140/90.
The main types of prescription high blood pressure medication are:
* Calcium channel blockers: Also known as CCBs, these drugs work to relax the vessels by preventing calcium from getting to the heart muscles cells and blood vessels.
* Beta blockers: These reduce the stress on the heart, thus slowing heartbeat by controlling the heart's sympathetic nervous system. This results in a reduction in contraction of heart muscles ad vessels.
* ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors: These inhibitors relax blood vessels by preventing a hormone known as angiotensin from being made. Angiotensin is responsible for the narrowing of these vessels.
* Vasodilators: This drug also relaxes the vessels by opening them so that the flow of this vital fluid is easier.
* Alpha-beta blockers: This category of drugs work in a similar way to beta blockers to reduce the force of the blood flowing through the circulatory system.
* Diuretics: Also known as water pill, works by removing excess water and sodium from the body.
Different people react differently to these meds. As such, a doctor may have to change them a few times to find what works best. Over time, some types of meds may become less effective and needs to be changed as well.
Of course, while effective at managing hypertension, these types of meds also have many side effects. Some of these side effects can be quite serious. Over time, they can lead to additional health problems such as kidney disease.
Natural and Homemade Remedies
In this category are herbs, spices and of course lifestyle changes such as changing their diets. Some use a combination of natural and prescription meds o help them manage the condition.
Many people purchase natural meds that are already prepackaged. This way they can be assured of the correct dosage. Companies that make natural hypertension medication do this to make it easier for hypertensive people.
Not taking the correct dosage is one reason why homemade remedies do not always have the desired impact. Taking too little will not be enough to have a positive impact in lowering your readings. Taking too much, may cause digestive and other problems.
For best results, using more than one method to control the condition tend to work best. Even with prescription blood pressure medicines, a combination approach works faster and more effectively. One thing is sure, exercise and dietary changes is necessary for the management of hypertension.
High blood pressure medication serves many purposes. They can be used to widen and relax blood vessels, others remove salt and water from the body. Still others work to slow the heartbeat to reduce the workload on the heart.
The aim of these medications is to reduce the force of blood going through the vessels. The harder this life-giving fluid travels through the vessels and heart, the higher your readings.
Some of these meds are given to patients based on any underlying health conditions they may have. For example, beta blockers are given to patients with angina and other heart irregularities. This is why it is important to discuss other medical issues with your doctor when being treated for hypertension.
People whose readings is not very high is sometimes not placed on meds rights away. Those who fall in this category tend to have readings that hover in the pre-hypertensive stage. The reading for this stage of the disease is 120/80 to 139/89. A diagnosis of hypertension is given when readings are 140/90.
The main types of prescription high blood pressure medication are:
* Calcium channel blockers: Also known as CCBs, these drugs work to relax the vessels by preventing calcium from getting to the heart muscles cells and blood vessels.
* Beta blockers: These reduce the stress on the heart, thus slowing heartbeat by controlling the heart's sympathetic nervous system. This results in a reduction in contraction of heart muscles ad vessels.
* ACE (Angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitors: These inhibitors relax blood vessels by preventing a hormone known as angiotensin from being made. Angiotensin is responsible for the narrowing of these vessels.
* Vasodilators: This drug also relaxes the vessels by opening them so that the flow of this vital fluid is easier.
* Alpha-beta blockers: This category of drugs work in a similar way to beta blockers to reduce the force of the blood flowing through the circulatory system.
* Diuretics: Also known as water pill, works by removing excess water and sodium from the body.
Different people react differently to these meds. As such, a doctor may have to change them a few times to find what works best. Over time, some types of meds may become less effective and needs to be changed as well.
Of course, while effective at managing hypertension, these types of meds also have many side effects. Some of these side effects can be quite serious. Over time, they can lead to additional health problems such as kidney disease.
Natural and Homemade Remedies
In this category are herbs, spices and of course lifestyle changes such as changing their diets. Some use a combination of natural and prescription meds o help them manage the condition.
Many people purchase natural meds that are already prepackaged. This way they can be assured of the correct dosage. Companies that make natural hypertension medication do this to make it easier for hypertensive people.
Not taking the correct dosage is one reason why homemade remedies do not always have the desired impact. Taking too little will not be enough to have a positive impact in lowering your readings. Taking too much, may cause digestive and other problems.
For best results, using more than one method to control the condition tend to work best. Even with prescription blood pressure medicines, a combination approach works faster and more effectively. One thing is sure, exercise and dietary changes is necessary for the management of hypertension.
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