The Role of Medications in Hypertension Control: Practical Advice and Emotional Support
03/20/2024
High blood pressure, also termed hypertension, is a condition in which the pressure exerted by blood against the atrial wall is persistently high. It harms the heart as it has to work harder to pump blood to the blood vessels, which carry oxygenated blood to other body organs and tissues. The higher the blood pressure, the more likely the chances of developing other medical conditions such as heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Getting your blood pressure reviewed regularly can help diagnose this condition. In combination with generic high blood pressure drugs, eating healthy and exercising can be very helpful in keeping the blood pressure level in check. Your doctor will assess your health condition, age, sex, and gender before prescribing antihypertensive or blood pressure medication. Inform your doctor before you buy high blood pressure drugs online to treat hypertension.
Symptoms of Hypertension
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High blood pressure is also known as the “Silent Killer” because it has no visible symptoms or warnings. People with this condition might not even be aware of it until it has caused significant damage to their health.
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The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to get it measured. It can be done by a healthcare professional or at home by yourself. Blood pressure is recorded in systolic (the upper number) and diastolic (the lower number).
Causes of Hypertension
Multiple factors could increase the risk of high blood pressure; a few are listed below.
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Overweight or Obese: People with extra weight or obesity are more likely to develop hypertension.
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High-salt diet: A diet rich in Sodium enhances the risk of high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, one should not consume more than 2300mg of salt daily. The ideal limit is 1550mg per day.
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Sedentary lifestyle: Not being physically active can also increase the risk of high blood pressure.
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Smoke and Alcohol: Tobacco addiction and excessive intake of alcohol could increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.
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Genetic: Research shows that a 50% risk of developing hypertension is linked to genes inherited from biological parents.
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Age: People 65 years and above are more prone to suffer from hypertension.
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Stress: High stress levels can lead to Hypertension.
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Other Health Conditions: Kidney disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea are health conditions that enhance the risk of high blood pressure.
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Medications: The use of certain drugs, such as contraceptive pills, steroids, antidepressants, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), can enhance blood pressure.
Common Drugs to Treat High Blood Pressure
In addition to effective lifestyle changes and regular exercises, hypertension can be controlled by taking blood pressure medications or antihypertensives. These drugs widen the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow smoothly. A few drugs function by removing extra water from the blood or blocking hormones produced by the body that increase blood pressure. A few common drugs prescribed by doctors to treat Hypertension are listed below:
Types of Antihypertensives
Adrenergic Blockers:
These are a class of drugs that prevent blood pressure from rising due to stress. Possible side effects of these drugs are dizziness, fainting, fatigue, and low heart rate.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:
These drugs prevent the body from producing Angiotensin 2, a substance that acts as a vasoconstrictor and prevents blood pressure from rising. The common side effects of these drugs are high potassium and dizziness.
Calcium Channel Blockers:
They are also known as calcium channel antagonists and function by preventing calcium from entering the blood vessels. They act as vasodilators, relaxing the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. A few common side effects of these drugs are swelling in the ankles, dizziness, slow heart rate, and headache.
Centrally Acting Alpha- 2 Agonists:
These drugs minimize the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system, preventing the nervous system from responding to stress. The benefits of these drugs include reduced blood pressure and heart rate during physical activity. The general side effects of these drugs are fatigue and slow heart rate.
Direct Vasodilators:
These medications broaden the blood vessels by relaxing the muscles, ensuring smooth blood passage. They can cause adverse effects and are prescribed by healthcare professionals when other treatments don’t work. Adverse effects of these drugs include fluid retention, nausea, headache, and chest pain.
Diuretics:
This class of drugs is also referred to as water pills. They increase urine production and promote the removal of excessive salt and fluid by the kidneys. The lower fluid content minimizes blood pressure. Some of the side effects of these drugs include diarrhea, high or low levels of potassium, dizziness, and headache.
Pros and Cons of Antihypertensives
Pros:
These medications help control high blood pressure and minimize the heart's workload. Decreased blood pressure makes the heart's job easier, as it can continuously pump blood to various body organs. They also reduce the risk of heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, and heart failure.
Cons:
In older adults, the use of antihypertensives can suddenly bring down blood pressure levels, causing dizziness and fainting, which may cause serious injury at times. These drugs change the electrolyte level in the body by expulsing excessive fluid. This may lead to extreme potassium levels in the body, causing severe damage to the heart.
Takeaway
High blood pressure is a very common medical condition in the US. Keeping blood pressure in check is essential to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease and kidney failure. The excellent part is high blood pressure can be controlled with active lifestyle changes, healthy eating, and medications. Seek advice from your doctor if you plan to buy high blood pressure medication online. If you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, your doctor will recommend a suitable treatment plan after assessing your medical condition. You must take your medication as the doctor prescribes and monitor your blood pressure regularly. Seek immediate help from your doctor if you notice any adverse effects while taking the prescribed medication.
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