Hypertension Medication

High blood pressure develops after many years and nearly everybody gets affected by it. However, there are many medicines available today which can be used to control high blood pressure. The range considered as normal blood pressure is less than 120/80 mmHg. If you have blood pressure of 120-139/80-89 mmHg, then it can be said that you are suffering from pre-hypertension. With some lifestyle changes you can easily control pre-hypertension, and go back to the normal blood pressure. If blood pressure is greater than 140/90 mmHg, then it is said that a person said to have hypertension. For people who have blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher, the medications are prescribed and certain lifestyle changes are recommended. If you have pre-hypertenstion or hypertension, then it is important that you consult a doctor for treatment, and get your blood pressure regularly checked to monitor it.

Hypertension Medication List

Alpha Blockers: These medicines help to reduce nerve impulses to the blood vessels, and reduce the effects of natural chemicals which narrow blood vessels.

Thiazide Diuretics: Diuretics for high blood pressure are also referred to as water pills, and one of the most common hypertension medication. These medications act on your kidneys to help your body remove sodium and water, reducing blood volume. These are often the first choice for high blood pressure conditions.

Beta Blockers: Beta blockers help to reduce the workload on your heart and open up the blood vessels, which leads to slower and reduced forced beating. Beta blockers are not that effective when they are prescribed alone, however, they are very effective when combined with a thiazide diuretic.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors: ACE inhibitors help in relaxing the blood vessels by blocking the formation of a natural chemical which narrows the blood vessels. They are especially helpful in treating high blood pressure in people who have coronary artery disease, kidney failure or heart failure. Similar to beta blockers, these don't work well alone, but are effective when combined with a thiazide diuretic.

Vasodilators: These medicines for lowering high blood pressure, work directly on the muscles in the walls of your arteries, thus preventing them from tightening and arteries from narrowing.

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): This medicine relaxes the blood vessels by blocking the action of the natural chemical that narrows the blood vessel. Similar to ACE inhibitors, ARB's often are useful for people who have coronary artery disease, heart failure or kidney failure.

Central Acting Agents: These hypertension medications prevent your brain from signaling the nervous system to increase the heart rate and narrow the blood vessels.

Renin Inhibitors: Renin is an enzyme produced by our kidneys, which starts a cascade of chemical steps which increase blood pressure. Aliskiren helps in slowing down the production of renin. It works by reducing the ability of renin to start this process. Research on this drug is going on, to understand the ideal use and dosage.

Calcium Channel Blockers: Calcium channel blockers help in relaxing the muscles of blood vessels, and some slow your heart rate. However, people who use this medicine and have grapefruit juice need to be careful, as grapefruit juice interacts with this medication and increases the blood levels of the medication and thus puts you at a higher risk as regards the side effects. Consult your doctor, if you are concerned about this medication side effects.

Many people tend to use alternative medicine for high blood pressure. It is important that you consult your doctor before you start using these medications, to avoid any side effects. Above mentioned were drugs which are commonly prescribed as hypertension medications by the doctor. If you have high blood pressure, then consult your doctor to get the appropriate medicine, the doctor will prescribe a medicine or combination of medicines. Apart from following the proper medication guidelines, you also need to make lifestyle changes like quit smoking, losing weight by exercising and following a healthy diet.