Understanding Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) and Medications

Surprisingly there is no known cause for around 85% of the people who have High Blood Pressure also known as Hypertension in the medical terms.

Hypertension is classified as an increased force of blood pushing against the vessel walls. You will also see Hypertension referenced as HTN this is common written in medical charts as the abbreviated medical term.

There are many factors effecting ones blood pressure:

• Sympathetic nervous system: this would be your fight or flight response

• Endothelial dysfunction - the inability for the lining of the vessels to dilate and constrict.

• Renin-angiotensin- aldosteron system - Kidneys

High blood pressure is classified as primary and secondary. If it is primary it is caused by no other diseases or condition if it is classified as secondary its cause may be triggered by an underlying condition or cause.

Classifications of blood pressure:

Normal blood pressure < 120/80

Pre hypertension 120-139 / 80-89

Stage 1 hypertension 140-159 / 90-99

Stage 2 hypertension > 160/100

Symptoms of high blood pressure can include none to headache, flushing and/or fatigue. Treating high blood pressure can be as simple as altering your diet, exercise and multiple types of medications.

Medications used to treat high blood pressure:

Alpha Adrenergic Blockers: these are used to lower the blood pressure and used to treat mild to moderate high blood pressure. Examples are Cardura(doxazosin), Minipress(prazosin), Hytrin(terazosin), Catapress(clonidine), and Aldomet(methyldopa)

Bet Adrenergic Blockers: these are used to lower the blood pressure; they decrease cardiac oxygen demand and regulate heart rhythm. Examples are Iopressor (metoprolol), Inderal (propranolol), Coreg (carvedilol), Tenormin (atenolol), and Corgard (naldolol).

Calcium Channel Blockers: these are used to control milk to severe high blood pressure they dilate coronary arteries and peripheral arteries. They lower blood pressure, heart rate and treat angina. Examples are Plendil (felodipine), Cardene (nicardipine), Aldalat (nifedipine), Norvasc (amlodipine), Calan (verapamil) and Diltiazem (cardiazem)

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: are used to lower blood pressure. They work by blocking conversation of angiotensin I to angiotension II preventing vasoconstriction and increases urine output. Examples are Capoten (captopril), Prinivil (lisinopril), Vasotec (enalapril), and Lotensin (benzapril)

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: lower blood pressure by blocking the receptor site for andiogtension II, preventing vasoconstriction. Examples are Avapro (irbesatran), Benicar (iosartan), Micardis (telmisartan) and Diovan (valsartan)

Depending on your history and your independent needs your doctor may suggest one of the types of medications above, dieting, or a combination treatment of medications and dieting to lower your high blood pressure. This article is to be used to help you better understand high blood pressure is not be used to help you treat your high blood pressure. Please consult your health care provider with any questions you may have.