Side Effects Of Blood Pressure Medications

All blood pressure medication should lower blood pressure but in addition they can produce some undesirable side effects. Type of medication alter basic body functions not only in the blood vessels but in the nervous system and kidneys as well. Because all of the systems in the body are interconnected even drugs that effect only one type of molecule in the body will produce some type of side effect.

Beta Blockers:

A common type of blood pressure medication like beta blockers are used to control cardiac arrhythmia or irregular heart beat. Beta blockers limit the ability of the heart to beat faster and as a result they reduce the ability of a person to exercise. Fatigue and the ability to react to the basic flight or fight response during an emergency situation is severely reduced. In June of 2006 the United Kingdom downgraded the use of beta-blockers for the elderly because of the increased risk of provoking type 2 diabetes. Other drugs were found to be much better in controlling high blood pressure.

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:

Lisinopril is in a class of drugs called angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It is used to lower blood pressure by decreasing certain chemicals in the blood that tighten the blood vessels. In other words, lisinopril will dilate the blood vessels so blood flows more smoothly and the heart can pump blood more efficiently using less pressure. It is also used to treat congestive heart failure and to improve the survival rate after a heart attack. The most common side effect of Lisinopril is a violent, non-productive cough, dizziness, fatigue and flue like symptoms. Another side effect, though not very common but it is dangerous is a pounding or uneven heartbeat.

Diuretics:

Diuretics are used to treat blood pressure problems by stimulating the kidneys to flush excess fluid and sodium from the human body. Less blood volume allows the heart to move the blood easier throughout the body. Loss of potassium, dry mouth and dehydration are the most common side effects of diuretics.

Calcium Channel Blockers:

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) keeps the blood vessels and heart from absorbing calcium which causes the blood vessels to relax. Calcium causes the heart to contract and the blood vessels to contract. CCBs are also used to slow the heart rate and are used for treating an abnormally rapid heart rate. The most common side effect of calcium channel blockers are headache, nausea, constipation, rash, dizziness and fluid retention.

Alpha Blockers:

Alpha blockers stop certain nerve impulses to the blood vessels causing the vessels to relax. Alpha blockers stop a natural hormone called nor-epinephrine from stimulating the muscles in the walls of the of the smaller blood vessels. The most common side effect of alpha blockers is low blood pressure, dizziness, headache, pounding heart beat, nausea, fatigue, fluid retention and an increase of the cholesterol levels in the blood. Some alpha blockers can increase the risk of heart failure with long term use.

Vasodilators:

Vasodilators directly cause the muscles in the blood vessels walls to relax thus preventing the muscles from tightening and the walls of the blood vessels from narrowing. Side effects of vasodilators are headache, nasal congestion, chest pain, rapid hear beat, pounding heart beat, fluid retention and dizziness. Long term use increase the risk of developing a connective tissue disease called lupus.

Common Vitamins and over the counter products can help with high blood pressure such as diuretics, copper, vitamin B, vitamin A, Quercitin, Potassium, Lecithin and Iron.

Natural diuretics are contained in cranberries, anything that has caffeine and apple cider vinegar. Fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and cucumbers contain a lot of water and will help increase urination. If you are taking COUMADIN then check with your doctor before using cranberry.

There is strong evidence that trace mineral Copper is vital to the tensile strength of the coronary blood vessels.

Vitamin B taken together as a team perform vital biological processes including aiding in the healing process for congestive heart failure and reduces fluid retention. It is required for the development of red blood cells.

Vitamin C has show to reduce cholesterol levels and lowers high blood pressure.

Quercitin is a well known flavonoid. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants and can reduce inflammation boost the immune system and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation. Quercitin is also known for its ability to block the release of histamines, thus reducing or preventing allergy symptoms. Take 500 mg twice daily.

Potassium may help prevent High Blood Pressure and protect against atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of stroke.

Lecithin has the potential to protect against fat clogged arteries when take daily.
Iron is an essential component of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying substance in red blood cells. Iron is vital for the production of blood by the bone marrow. The single most common cause of anemia is the lack of Iron.

Lifestyle changes can also lower the risk of medical emergencies do to arteriosclerosis. Quit smoking, eat healthy foods, weight loss and get regular exercise. This treatment is often problematic for many to achieve and continue for the long term.

Medication Treatment of Hypertension - Which Drugs are Best?

Normal blood pressure has a systolic reading of less than 120 and a diastolic of less than 80. (Though normal can vary from person to person. Ask your doctor or other health care professional what is normal for you). Hypertension is a systolic reading of 140 OR more or a diastolic reading of 90 or more.

Treatment of hypertension includes:

• Losing weight (even just a few pounds can help)

• Exercise

• Diet changes

• Medications

There are currently eight types of medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

1. Central acting medications - these directly affect your nervous system to reduce nerve signals that cause your blood vessels to constrict. Example - clonidine.

2. Diuretics - these are better known as "water pills". These help your body eliminate excess water in your body by urinating it out. Examples - Furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide.

3. Direct vasodilators - Relax the blood vessel walls' muscles - thus dilating them. Examples - minoxidil and hydralazine

4. Angiotensin - converting enzyme inhibitors - these keep your body from producing a hormone that causes the blood vessels to constrict. Examples - lisinopril, quinapril, and benazepril (and other medications with the ending of the word = ...pril)

5. Beta - blockers - these slow the heart rate. This causes less force to be exerted on your blood vessel walls and reduces blood pressure. Examples include - atenolol, propranolol, and carvedilol (and other medications with the ending of the word = ....olol

6. Angiotensin II receptor blockers - these protects your body from a hormone that causes the blood vessels to constrict. Examples - irbesartan, candesartan, and olmesartan (and other medications with ending of the word = .....sartan).

7. Calcium channel blockers - these keep your blood vessels from constricting by keeping calcium from entering your body's cells. Examples - diltiazem, felodipine, nicardipine, and verapamil.

8. Alpha blockers - these help relax blood vessels by reducing nerve signals. Examples - doxazosin, terazosin, and prazosin (and other medications with the ending of the word = ....zosin).

If you receive a new prescription from your doctor - make sure to take the medication as prescribed.

Hypertension Medications - Finding the Best Agent to Lowering Blood Pressure

Despite constant attempts to utilize alternate means of treating the condition often referred to as the "silent killer," Hypertension medications proves to be the most common treatment. Medical professionals generally prescribe a variety of medications to treat patients that suffer with high blood pressure. In most cases, these medications are effective and they prove to be particularly manageable.

Professional health providers' ultimate objective is to control the progression of hypertension as well as maintain healthy blood pressure levels. They are able to accomplish this thru the use of certain types of medications especially designed to attack the actual source of the disease.

After initial diagnosis, the physician will determine which medications best suits the patients' needs. Specifically, the type of drug as well as the dosage will depend on factors such as the status of the patients' current condition and/or the patients' pre-existing medical condition (s). The hypertension medications are classified as agents; called antihypertensive agents.

The antihypertensive agents are initially administered in low doses to regulate the blood pressure. The medical provider will monitor the effectiveness over a period of time. They will then determine it the dosage should be increased. Even after the blood pressure is lowered, many patients must continue to take them.

Other patients may be able to pursue other options, such as modifying their life- styles in order to stop taking the medications. There are different classes of hypertension medications that are classified as accommodating agents. Each of these agents affects each patient differently.

- Diurects or Water Pills

This drug increases the kidneys' excretion of sodium and water. It also decreases the volume of fluid in the blood stream as well as the pressure in the arteries. Diurects is the most common form of antihypertensive agent. Some forms of the water pills are Acetazolamide, Triamterene, Spirnolactone and Metolazone.

- Beta Blockers

This specific class of medication decreases the aggressiveness of the hearts contractions. As the blocker decreases the force used to pump blood into the arteries, the blood pressure is decreased. Additional benefits of this agent include prolonged life for patients with coronary artery disease, patients who have had heart attacks and patients suffering from congestive heart failure. Some forms of Beta Blockers are Metoprolol, Carvedilol and Atenolol.

- ACE Inhibitors

These hypertension medications are used to dialate the arteries. This decreases resistance to blood flow; thereby lowering the blood pressure. Inhibitors are also effective against congestive heart failure. Some forms or ACE Inhibitors include Lisinopril, Quinapril, Enalapril and Captopril.

Although each of these hypertension medications has proven effective for lowering blood pressure, they all induce annoying side effects. It is recommended, however, that the patient consult the primary physician immediately when the side effects become too prominent.

Coincidently, a change in a patients' daily life- style can also decrease the prominence of side effects or, in some cases, alleviate them all together. It is important to work with the primary physician to obtain the best combination of medications or agents to accommodate each patient's particular situation. Early diagnosis and patient awareness/education is a great start to prolong your life.