Hypertension Treatments

Hypertension treatments are designed to reduce blood pressure so that you will have a lower risk of complications. There are many different medicines that can be used to treat high blood pressure. Most of the time, hypertension can be controlled with medicine and lifestyle changes. Such medicines include:

Alpha blockers, Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), Beta-blockers, Calcium channel blockers, Central alpha agonists, Diuretics, Renin inhibitors, including aliskiren (Tekturna) and Vasodilators.

Medicines used if the blood pressure is very high may include: Clonidine, Diazoxide, Furosemide, Hydralazine, Minoxidil and Nitroprusside.

There many different types of medicines are available to control high blood pressure. These medicines work in different ways. Some lower blood pressure by removing extra fluid and salt from your body. Others affect blood pressure by slowing down the heartbeat, or by relaxing and widening blood vessels. Often, two or more drugs work better than one.

Other names for Hypertension: High Blood Pressure, HBP and HTN

Caused by another condition: Secondary Hypertension - in a few cases, the cause of hypertension is some other underlying condition. This is called secondary hypertension. This may be due to kidney disorders, congenital abnormalities, or other conditions. Blood pressure usually returns to normal when the problem is corrected.

Other names: Essential hypertension - in most cases, high blood pressure does not have a specific treatable cause. This form is called essential hypertension.,Primary hypertension and Idiopathic hypertension

Pregnancy-related hypertension-existing high blood pressure can predispose some women to develop problems when they become pregnant. This is called pre-existing chronic hypertension. Also, some women first develop hypertension when they are pregnant. There are several types of this pregnancy-induced hypertension, sometimes called gestational hypertension. Either type of high blood pressure can harm the mother's kidneys and other organs, and it can cause low birth weight and early delivery.
High Blood Pressure Medication
Blood pressure-lowering drugs can help control blood pressure when appropriate diet and regular physical activity alone have not succeeded. If you are taking any of the medications discussed here, it is important that you do not stop taking them without consulting your doctor.

Diuretics (water pills)

Diuretics (sometimes called water pills) lower blood pressure by causing the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. If the desired effects aren't achieved with diuretics alone, in combination they may enhance the effect of other blood pressure medications.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

These drugs expand blood vessels and decrease resistance. This allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier or more efficient. ACE inhibitors are used to treat symptoms of heart failure and to lower blood pressure. These should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to become so. If you already take these and find you are pregnant you should discontinue immediately and speak with your doctor. A common side effect of ACE inhibitors is cough.

Combination Therapy - ACE Inhibitor with Diuretic

Angiotensin -2 Receptor Antagonists

Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists have been shown to produce effects similar to those produced by ACE inhibitors. They may be better tolerated because they produce less cough. Rather than lowering levels of angiotensin II (as ACE inhibitors do), angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent this chemical from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels. This keeps blood pressure from rising. These drugs should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to become so. If you already take them and find you are pregnant, you should discontinue immediately and speak with your doctor.

Combination Therapy - Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonist with Diuretic

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers decrease the heart rate and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure. They're also used with therapy for cardiac arrhythmias and in treating angina pectoris.

Combination Therapy - Beta Blocker/Diuretic

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers, also known as "calcium antagonists," interrupt the movement of calcium into heart and vessel cells. They're also used to treat angina (chest pain) and/or some arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).

Combination Therapy - ACE inhibitor/calcium channel blocker

Alpha Blockers - reduce nerve impulses that tighten blood vessels, allowing blood to pass more easily and causing blood pressure to go down

Central Alpha Agonists and combinations

Combined Alpha and Beta Blockers

Antiadrenergics

Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses from the brain. This causes blood vessels to become wider and blood pressure to go down.

Vasodilators open blood vessels by directly relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing blood pressure to go down

It is important that you take your blood pressure medicine at the same time each day and not skip days or cut pills in half to save money. If you are taking any of the medications discussed here, it is important that you do not stop taking them without consulting your doctor.