Hypertension medications have made improvements over the past years and that’s good news for people who have been prescribed those antihypertensive drugs. Some drugs have improved potency which means lower doses are required. Others work in ways that did not exist several years ago and also allow for lower dosages or more effective combinations of drugs.
So if there have been so many improvements, why do you feel so lousy?
These drugs still come with side effects. Understand that hypertension treatment is a numbers game. Your doctor will start with a low dosage on one or two medicines and will continue to adjust both type of drugs and dosages until a combination is found that controls your condition. At least it controls it for now. If you condition changes, or you develop intolerance to the drug, the mix and match process begins again.
Here’s a sample of what you can expect in the way of side effects for a few of the classes of drugs:
Diuretics are the oldest and least expensive form of treatment for high blood pressure. Diuretics flush sodium and excess fluids from the body reducing blood volume. The less blood in the system, the less pressure required to pump it. Thiazide diuretics can also prevent sodium from being reabsorbed in the body. Side effects include:
Thirst, potassium depletion, frequent urination, weakness, impotence, muscle cramps, lightheadedness, constipation and confusion.
Anti-adrenergics work by limiting the hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine which have a stiffening effect on the blood vessels. Without this effect both the vessels and heart are more relaxed and less pressure is required to pump blood. Side effects:
Depression, fatigue, wheezing, insomnia, impotence and a decrease in good cholesterol HDL can occur as a result of taking this class of drug. The very scary part is do not miss taking your pill as prescribed. Sudden withdrawal can trigger an angina or heart attack.
ACE Inhibitors. This class is one of the most effective in controlling blood pressure. This drug works by deactivating angiotensin-converting enzyme which prevents the kidney from absorbing sodium and retaining water. Left unchecked, these enzymes can stiffen blood vessels and increase pressure. Side effects include:
Cough, rash, fluid retention and loss of taste. May also cause fetal abnormalities.
So that’s the popular line up of hypertension medications and their side effects. Is there an alternative to these?
The answer is yes, if you want to make some changes in the way you live your life.
The American Heart Association endorses changes in diet, exercise and stress management as the best way to control hypertension. If you are fed up with the side effects, the expense, or simply the fact that you will be reliant on daily medication for the rest of your life, then you need to learn about the alternatives.
Natural approaches can not only control your high blood pressure, it can cure it and reverse much of the damage that has already been done. Take responsibility for your health and learn how to live without the drugs.
Tagged: Blood Volume
Hypertension Medication Side Effects – Do You Know What Your Drug Can Do to You?
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Salt Sensitivity: Will Salt Raise YOUR Blood Pressure?
Eating salt does not raise blood pressure in most of us, but it will for some people. A study in the Journal of Hypertension showed that salt-sensitive people can be detected by finding increased amounts of protein in their urine.
Evidently those who develop high blood pressure when they take in extra salt have kidneys that permit protein, called albumin, to pass through them. The old theory was that when you take in extra salt, it causes your body to hold extra water, expands blood volume and raises blood pressure, but most studies shows that low-salt diets do not lower high blood pressure.
If you have high blood pressure, you can ask your doctor to check the amount of protein in a 24-hour urine collection. If you are salt-sensitive, you can avoid adding extra salt to your cooking and food, but you don’t need to seek out and eat only foods that are very low in salt. Severe salt restriction is not safe; it can raise blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Salt deficiency causes your kidneys and adrenal glands to produce large amounts of the hormones, renin and aldosterone, which raise blood pressure.
On the other hand, a high-vegetable diet (the DASH diet), exercise, weight reduction and alcohol restriction lower high blood pressure significantly. Adding blood pressure medicines to this regimen lowers high blood pressure even more. Changing your lifestyle is far more effective in reducing high blood pressure than just taking drugs. Most doctors will recommend salt restriction.
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Blood Pressure Control – How to Maintain a Healthy Life
Blood pressure control is important in that it can potentially save a hypertensive patient’s life. High blood pressure or hypertension is the force exerted on the artery walls by the blood flowing through the body. When the force is challenged, the pressure of the blood elevates. This elevated pressure can cause more serious complications; therefore it must be treated effectively.
High blood pressure has no significant signs or symptoms and is often referred to as the “silent killer.” Consequently, many Americans have developed the condition, yet they are not aware of it.
The American Heart Association documents that an estimate of 50million Americans suffer with high blood pressure and requires ongoing medical attention to maintain proper blood pressure control.
Healthcare professionals implement a well- rounded individualized treatment plan to decrease the pressure as well as control progression. Each treatment plan is designed to accommodate existing and pre- existing factors that may induce the development of the condition.
Initially, the healthcare professional will prescribe certain anti- hypertensive medications. These drugs are used to immediately lower the blood pressure levels. One of the most common drugs for blood pressure control is the calcium channel blocking agents (channel blockers or calcium antagonists). These channel blockers reduce the force of contraction of muscles of the heart and muscle.
Another drug used to reduce blood pressure is the peripheral vasodilators. Hydralazine (Apresoline), isxuprine (Vasodilan), and minoxidil (Loniten) act as blood vessel relaxers. Yet another antihypertensive drug is the thiazide diurectics. The diurectics promote sodium loss thereby lowering blood volume. More so, the thiazide diurectics helps lower the pressure of the walls of the blood vessels; which is also referred to as the peripheral vascular resistance.
Blood pressure control can also be accomplished by implementing daily healthy life- style changes. These changes may include a healthy eating plan, weight loss, and exercise. Healthcare professionals suggest that a healthy diet, which should consist of fruits and vegetables, low- sodium intake and foods that are low in fats and cholesterol. Obesity plays a major role in elevated blood pressure.
Changing your diet and incorporating physical activity into your daily routine will help you loose and maintain a healthy body weight. Lastly, exercise will not only help you loose weight, it will assist with improving the overall health.
Believe it or not, exercise does not require much effort. Light to moderate physical activity, such as walking, bicycling, or even yoga can significantly lower blood pressure. Exercise is also known to minimize the need for medications and reduce the effects of annoying side effects.
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