Antihypertensives: Drugs to Keep High Blood Pressure in Check

Of all the various diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels, high blood pressure - also referred to as hypertension - is the most common. This disease is much feared for being a "silent killer," the dreadful tag being in obvious reference to its treacherous nature of directly killing many unsuspecting people who, for much of the time, have not had any symptoms of disease. It is very important, therefore, for a person to have his or her blood pressure checked on a regular basis.

Some of the many causes of high blood pressure include kidney disease, excessively active glands, neoplasms (tumors), and certain drugs. In treating high blood pressure, the doctor will begin by dealing with its cause. In some cases, however, he may not find any specific cause. In such a situation, he will most likely prescribe any one of the known drugs that can keep high blood pressure under control. These drugs are called antihypertensives.

While the various groups of antihypertensives all work toward lowering blood pressure, the manner by which they accomplish this task differs from one another. Diuretics, commonly known as water pills, are the most frequently prescribed antihypertensives simply because they are an excellent treatment for high blood pressure. These drugs work by making the kidneys eliminate excess salt and fluid. This translates into having less fluid in the bloodstream, thereby lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload of the heart.

Another set of antihypertensives are the vasodilators, which include the widely used alpha blocker prazosin (an example is the brand name Minipress). These drugs act directly on the blood vessels by widening their lumen and making them less tense. The resulting dilation of the blood vessels leads to the lowering of blood pressure.

Two other groups of antihypertensives - beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers - effectively lower blood pressure by causing interference to the continuous motion of nerve impulses. Beta-blockers (an example is the brand name Bystolic, a drug recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of high blood pressure), in particular, block the beta-receptors contained in both the heart muscle and blood vessels which, when stimulated, cause the heart to beat more rapidly and intensely, thus raising the blood pressure. The action of these drugs in blocking the said receptors - with the heart consequently beating more slowly and less strongly -, therefore, effectively brings down blood pressure.

Calcium-channel blockers (an example is the brand name Norvasc), on the other hand, lower blood pressure by blocking the paths along which calcium moves into the cells of blood vessel muscles. Note that calcium molecules cause blood vessels to become narrow. The action of these drugs in blocking the said paths or channels, therefore, prevents the blood vessels from constricting.

It is important to understand that antihypertensives are not intended to be a cure for high blood pressure. Rather, they are used merely to keep the condition in check. Once your doctor prescribes any one of these drugs and you start using it, do not stop taking it just because you suddenly feel you are already well. If you do, your blood pressure can abruptly elevate back to perilous levels. Your doctor is the best person to tell you if discontinuing the use of a drug he earlier prescribed will not pose any risk to your health.