Drugs in the treatment of Hypertension(high blood pressure)

While high blood pressure can be inproved by weight control, healthy diet ,increased exercise and reduced stress. There are many circumstances when the blood pressure can only be satisfactorily controlled with the aid of drugs.The use of drugs however is never satisfactory without inprovements in lifestyle .

A healthy blood pressure should be less than 140/85 although in some circumstances 150/90 is satisfactory in preventing heart disease developing.

Several groups of drugs are used to reduce blood pressure and choice of drug should be made in conjunction with you medical advisor

These groups are

  1. Diuretics Drugs to helping the body ajust the salts in the blood and get rid of excess water to lower the blood pressure there are many types and brands of diuretic but all help blood pressure in a similar way.
  2. Beta blockers These act on the heart to reduce heart rate and also on blood vessels. There are many brands and subgroups of beta blockers but all are similar in action. There is variation in the side effects of different ones.(also treat angina)
  3. Ace Inhibitors These act by blocking the action of angiotensin converting enzyme. This leads to arteries and veins dilating giving lower resistance to blood flow.
  4. Angiotensin II antagonists These act diectly reducing blood vessel resistance.
  5. Ca antagonists These act by changing the calcium movement into cells leading again to lower resistance in blood vessels and thus to lower blood pressure.Many types available.
  6. Alpha1 antagonists Another group which act on blood vessels. These act directly and can cause a sudden drop in BP on standing up.
  7. Imidazone agonist Acts centrally in brain to cause lowering of blood vessel resistance(used in special circumstances only)
  8. Central alpha agonists Centrally acting to reduce blood vessel resistance these are more rarely used these days.
  9. Other drugs there are several other drugs which are occasionally used in special x circumstances.