Information
The diagnosis of high blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as a blood pressure greater than 140/90 on two or more occasions.
Keeping a log of your blood pressures to periodically review with you physician can help to assure optimal control.
Lifestyle measures such as a low salt (low sodium) diet, weight reduction, smoking cessation and a regular exercise program can be extremely effective strategies to help control high blood pressure.
Medications are often prescribed to help patients achieve their desired blood pressure goals.
Treatments
Blood pressure-lowering drugs can help control blood pressure when diet and physical activity alone have not succeeded.
Diuretics
Diuretics 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.
Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists
Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists 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 should not be taken if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you already take these and find you are pregnant you should discontinue immediately and speak with your doctor.
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.
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 – Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist/Diuretic
Combination Therapy – ACE Inhibitor/Calcium Channel Blocker
Alpha Blockers
Central Alpha Agonists
Combined Alpha and Beta Blockers
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