Are You Confused By The Large Number Of Blood Pressure Lowering Medications?

Blood pressure reducing medications are often used when a program of exercise and diet has failed to lower your blood pressure to a safe level or to regulate your pressure while you are making the necessary changes to your lifestyle to get the desired results.

The range of blood pressure reducing drugs available today is almost unbelievable and, because a lot of the presently available medications are frequently used in combination for treatment, picking the right drug or combination of drugs gives your doctor something of a headache. However, here is an overview of the various different groups of blood pressure reducing drugs presently in day-to-day use.

Diuretics

The first line of attack are diuretics which are simply designed to rid the body of excess fluid and, most importantly as far as blood pressure is concerned, to lower levels of salt.

Commonly used diuretics include Midamor, Hydrodiuril, Bumex, Hygroton, Esidrix, Lozol, Lasix, Diuril and Aldactone.

Several diuretic lower potassium levels in the body and may produce tiredness, weakness and leg cramps. This can generally be countered effectively by eating foods which contain potassium or by taking a potassium supplement in either liquid or tablet form. Diuretics can also lead to increased blood sugar levels and a change of diet or drug, insulin or oral anti-diabetic medication might be needed in the case of diabetics.

ACE Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors act to enlarge the blood vessels and so reduce the resistance to blood flow and pressure in these vessels. Consequently the heart does not need to work as much to push blood around the body.

Commonly used ACE inhibitors include Lotensin, Capoten, Aceon, Accupril, Univasc, Prinivil, Altace, Vasotec, Mavik, Monopril and Zestril.

ACE inhibitors can cause a skin rash, a loss of taste and in very rare cases kidney damage.

AT-2 Receptor Antagonists

Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor antagonists work in much the same ways as ACE inhibitors although they have the benefit for many individuals of not resulting in the hacking cough so often seen from taking ACE inhibitors.

Common AT-2 receptor antagonists include Atacand, Avapro, Micardis, Cozaar and Teveten.

There are generally very few side effects with AT-2 receptor antagonists although in some individuals they may produce occasional dizziness.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers act to lower blood pressure by decreasing both the heart rate and output.

Common beta blockers include Sectral, Zebeta, Betapace, Toprol XL, Inderal, Blocadren, Cartrol, Tenormin, Lopressor, Kerlone, Corgard and Ziac.

A number of beta blockers may cause insomnia, cold hands and feet, the symptoms of asthma, depression, tiredness and in very rare cases can lead to impotence.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers help to lower blood pressure by impeding calcium flow into the heart and blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers include what is commonly agreed to be the most popular blood pressure drug in the world - Norvasc.

Other commonly used calcium blockers include Lotrel, Tiazac, Calan, Nimotop, Sular, Procardia, Isoptin, Vascor, Adalat, Plendil, Cardizem and Verelan.

The side effects differ widely from one calcium blocker to the next but some commonly seen side effects include headache, constipation, palpitations, dizziness and swollen ankles.

As can be seen there is a huge number of medications available to lower blood pressure and when you remember that these are frequently used together by combining for example ACE inhibitors and calcium blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics or AT-2 receptor antagonists and diuretics then the range of treatments available is truly enormous.

On the one hand of course this is good news because it means that physicians are able to tailor treatment to the exact needs of each individual. On the other hand however it also makes selecting the correct treatment somewhat hard.

TheBloodPressureCenter.com provides information on blood pressure medications including information about orthostatic hypotension and Norvasc