Hypertension or high blood pressure is a common condition these days. People of different ages, race and cultures are affected by it.  Its treatment is straightforward- patients are recommended lifestyle changes and prescribed medicines.

Comparison Of High Blood Pressure Medications

There are different types of hypertension medicines. The decision as to which medicine is suitable for you should be made after analyzing your overall health status and the cause of hypertension in your case. Once your situation has been analysed, your doctor will prescribe the medicine and the required dosage.

The most common type of hypertension medicine is diuretics. These work to relax the pressure inside the cardiovascular system by causing the body to excrete more sodium and fluid. The different kinds of diuretics used for this purpose are loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics and thiazide diuretics. These are particularly given to patients who are over weight and to African-Americans.

ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are the second most commonly used medicines for hypertension patients. These work to inhibit the production of a chemical in the body that is responsible for constricting the blood vessels by creating an enzyme. Patients with diabetes or advanced heart disease are usually given this medication for controlling high blood pressure.

The third type of medicine used in hypertension is called ARBs or angiotensin II receptor blockers. These block the production of the hormone that constricts blood vessels. These are prescribed to patients who do not respond well to ACE inhibitors. However, ARBs should never be used by women who are trying to conceive or those who are expecting.

In order to lower blood pressure by changing the frequency and intensity of heart beat, beta-blockers are given. These are good for patients whose hypertension is caused partially due to anxiety disorders.

Another major type of hypertension medication is calcium channel blockers. These drugs lower blood pressure by lowering the amount of cardiovascular constriction. These are suggested to patients for whom diuretics are not working and for African-Americans. These can also be useful for patients who are unable to reduce their sodium intake.

Another type of blood pressure medication lowers blood pressure by relaxing the muscle tissue of the blood vessels. These are called vasodilators and are considered last resort in hypertension medications. These should be taken only under strict medical supervision and are therefore, only used in high blood pressure emergencies.

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