This List of High Blood Pressure Medication Needs to Know

There are many types of drugs to treat high blood pressure. Drugs that are included in the list of high blood pressure medications have different ways of working. Patients with hypertension who regularly consume high blood pressure drugs need to recognize the type, how it works, and the side effects of these drugs. Normal blood pressure is blood pressure that is in the number 120/80 mmHg or slightly below that number. Someone can be said to have high blood pressure or hypertension if the blood pressure is at a value of 130/80 mmHg or more. Hypertension can appear without symptoms and often only detected during a routine health check-up (check-up). Untreated high blood pressure can cause a number of complications, such as heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke. High blood pressure is caused by a combination of several factors, namely old age, heredity, and an unhealthy lifestyle, such as consuming too much salt, lack of exercise, often stressed, or smoking. In addition, certain conditions or diseases, such as obesity, diabetes, high cholesterol, to hormonal disorders, can also cause high blood pressure.

List of High Blood Pressure Medications You Can Choose

In order to treat hypertension and keep blood pressure stable, the doctor will advise patients to make lifestyle improvements, such as:

• Live a healthy diet by reducing salt intake and increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables.
• Increase physical activity and regular exercise.
• Lose weight if you are obese and maintain ideal body weight.
• Reducing consumption of caffeinated beverages, such as coffee, tea, or soft drinks.
• Quit smoking.
• Reducing alcohol consumption.
• Reducing stress by doing relaxation.
• Enough sleep.

But if lifestyle improvements do not succeed in lowering blood pressure, your doctor will prescribe medicines to reduce high blood pressure. During taking the drug, the patient must of course continue to adopt a healthy lifestyle. These high blood pressure medicines are quite diverse and are divided into several types, namely:

1. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)

ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the production of angiotensin hormone, a hormone that can constrict blood vessels. With this drug, the muscles of the blood vessel walls will relax and widen slightly, so the pressure on the blood vessels decreases. ACE inhibitors are usually given to patients over 65 years of age or hypertensive patients who have other medical conditions, such as heart disease, heart failure, kidney abnormalities, and diabetes. Examples of ACE inhibitors that are often used are captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, and ramipril. Side effects of ACE inhibitors include dry cough, headaches, dizziness, hyperkalemia, and skin rashes. This high blood pressure medication can also increase the risk of fetal abnormalities or defects if consumed by pregnant women.

2. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB)

ARB has almost the same effect as ACE inhibitors, but the way these two classes of drugs work is different. ARB inhibits the action of the angiotensin hormone which constricts blood vessels, so that blood vessels can be widened so that blood circulation runs smoothly while lowering blood pressure. Usually the doctor will prescribe this drug to patients who are not compatible with the hypertension drug ACE inhibitors. Examples of ARB drugs are candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan, and olmesartan. High blood pressure medications ARB class has several side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, and an increased risk of fetal death in the womb.

3. Beta blockers

Beta blockers work by inhibiting the effects of the hormone epinephrine or adrenaline, which is a hormone that plays a role in increasing blood flow and pressure. Because of these effects, beta blockers can make the heart beat more slowly and decrease blood pressure. In addition to lowering blood pressure, this class of drugs can also be used to treat heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias), heart failure, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism. Examples of beta blockers or beta blockers are atenolol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol. Side effects that are often experienced after taking this drug are dizziness, headaches, nausea, fatigue, insomnia, and shortness of breath. Therefore, the use of beta blockers may need to be avoided by people with hypertension who have asthma.

4. Calcium channel blocker (CCB)

Calcium is a mineral that has a role to increase the strength of the heart muscle and blood vessels. CCB works by blocking the entry of calcium into the heart muscle and blood vessel walls, thus making the heart cells and blood vessels of the muscles relax and relax. This effect makes blood pressure decrease. This drug is usually given together with beta blockers. Examples of CCB drugs are amlodipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine. Just like other types of high blood pressure medications, CCB also causes side effects. Some of the side effects that can arise due to the use of CCB are headaches, swollen feet, palpitations, and constipation.

5. Diuretics

Diuretics work by removing excess water and sodium in the body, so that the amount of fluid and salt that flows in blood vessels decreases. This effect can cause a decrease in blood pressure. Examples of diuretic drugs are furosemide, torsemide, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide. Diuretic drugs can cause side effects such as dizziness, frequent thirst, more frequent urination, muscle cramps, dehydration, skin rashes, and the appearance of gout symptoms.

6. Nitrate

Nitrate works to dilate blood vessels, so that blood flow to the heart increases and the heart does not pump blood more strongly. Usually, doctors will only prescribe these drugs when beta blockers and CCB drugs do not work effectively or in hypertensive patients who have heart attacks. Types of nitrate drugs are isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and glyceryl trinitrate. These high blood pressure medications can cause side effects such as dizziness, facial redness, nausea, hypotension, and mouth discomfort.

7. Alpha blockers

This high blood pressure drug works by inhibiting the action of the hormone norepinephrine which can narrow blood flow and make muscles contract. Alpha blockers can make the muscles of the blood vessels relax, so that blood pressure decreases. Alpha blockers are generally not the main choice for high blood pressure. This drug is usually given to hypertensive patients who also have other medical conditions, such as benign prostate enlargement (BPH) and peripheral arterial disease. Examples of drugs that are included in the class of alpha blockers are terazosin, prazosin, and tamsulosin. Side effects of alpha blockers are dizziness and orthostatic hypotension, which is a decrease in blood pressure when the body position changes. The choice of type and dose of high blood pressure medication needs to be adjusted to each patient's condition. That is why hypertension sufferers need to consult a doctor first to determine which type of high blood medicine is suitable and safe to use in accordance with the conditions. In addition, hypertension sufferers are also advised to check their blood pressure routinely at home with a tensimeter and routine control to the doctor to monitor the effectiveness of treatment in controlling blood pressure.