Hypertension is a common condition in the United States, but it is also a serious one. High blood pressure is a serious risk factor for potentially life threatening issues like heart attack, stroke and cardiovascular disease. When a patient is diagnosed with hypertension, a doctor’s first goal is to bring the blood pressure back down to the normal range so further strain on the heart and cardiovascular system does not occur. In some cases, the patient is put on a special diet and exercise program for high blood pressure control. However, many patients also require one of the common hypertension medications to keep their blood pressure in check. This article will describe some of the most common hypertension medications used for this purpose.
Diuretics
One of the most common hypertension medications prescribed first is often a diuretic or water pill. These medications come by commercial names like Esidrix or Zaroxolyn and work by removing excess fluid and salt from the bloodstream. The excess is eliminated from your body through urination, which is why people on this medication often have to urinate more frequently. By removing the excess from the blood, the heart can pump it through the body more efficiently without undue wear and tear on this important organ.
Beta Blockers and ACE Inhibitors
These common hypertension medications may be prescribed if diuretics don’t work or in combination with a diuretic for best results. In some cases, these common hypertension medications may also be the first line of defense against high blood pressure. Beta blockers come under commercial names like Toprol and ACE inhibitors include commercial drugs like Capoten and Vasotec. These common hypertension medications work by increasing blood flow through the blood vessels, eliminating strain on the heart.
Other Options
If these common hypertension medications do not work, there are other options available. Calcium channel blockers, angiotensin II receptor blockers and other drugs can be used when the more common hypertension medications do not work well on their own or cause undesirable side effects. It is very important that a patient and doctor work together through the long list of common hypertension medications to find the drugs that work the best in each individual situation. In some cases, a patient will be lucky enough to find the right drug the first time. In other cases, it may take numerous tries to find the best treatment combination.
Hypertension is a serious condition that can have potentially life-threatening consequences if left untreated. Fortunately, there are many options in hypertension medication to get blood pressure under control and reduce the risk of more serious complications.
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