The ABC of Weight Loss

Blood Pressure Medications

Medication Types
There are a number of different kinds of medication for high blood pressure. For instance, a Diuretic reduces the amount of water and sodium in the blood, reducing the pressure on the walls of blood vessels. Beta Blockers lower blood pressure by inhibiting the body’s fight/flight response. Ace Inhibitors reduce blood pressure by preventing the hormone Angiotensin from forming. Meanwhile, Angiotensin Antagonists block Angiotensin’s effects on the cells of the heart and blood vessels. Calcium Channel Blockers reduce the overall level of calcium in the heart, reducing blood pressure. Alpha Blockers lower blood pressure by limiting the nerve impulses sent to the blood vessels, while Alpha-Beta Blockers combine the effects of Alpha-Blockers and Beta-Blockers. Meanwhile, Nervous System Inhibitors relax blood vessels, as do Vasodilators.

Diuretics
A diuretic is a medication that reduces the amount of water and sodium in the blood. The reduction in water helps to reduce the overall pressure on the walls of the blood vessels and as a result lower the overall blood pressure. A diuretic is usually prescribed in addition to another type of medication as opposed to being used a sole treatment by itself. Diuretics are often called “water pills” and the physician may refer to them as such.

Beta Blockers
Beta blocks work to reduce the heart rate and lower the blood pressure by inhibiting the bodies “fight / flight” response. Essentially a beta-blocker blocks the ability of epinephrine and norepinephrine to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system. This action prevents the increased heart rate and high blood pressure, which is a direct result of that stimulation. The beta-blockers prescribed for high blood pressure have a calming effect and give the person a greater tolerance for stress.

Ace Inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, or ACE Inhibitors, as they are commonly known helped to reduce blood pressure by preventing the hormone Angiotensin II from forming. Angiontensin II normally constricts the blood vessels as well as acting on the brain to increase the need for salt and hydration.

Angiotensin Antagonist
Angiontensin antagonists target the same hormone as ACE inhibitors, described above. However, rather than inhibiting the production of Angiotensin II it blocks its effect on the cells of the heart and blood vessels. These medications are also referred to as ARB’s, which stands for angiotensin receptor blockers. This is a newer type of medication which helps to modulate the renin-angiotensin system which has a big role in maintaining the bodies overall blood pressure and the volume of blood in the body.

Calcium Channels Blockers
This class of medications reduce the overall level of calcium in the heart which in turn reduces the blood pressure since the level of calcium dictates the force with which the heart pumps blood. Individuals with a weak heart (cardiomyopathy) are advised to not take a calcium channel blocker.

Alpha Blockers
Alpha-blockers bring blood pressure lower by limiting the nerve impulses sent to the blood vessels, which allows the blood to pass more freely. Whereas the beta-blockers affect the heart to decrease blood pressure, the Alpha-blockers affect the blood vessels.

Alpha-Beta Blockers
The Alpha-Beta class of drugs combines the effects of both the Alpha-blockers and the Beta-blockers, and thereby bring about lower blood pressure. See the descriptions for both to understand how they work.

Nervous System Inhibitors
Nervous system inhibitors work at the level of the brain as opposed to the circulatory system. Essentially this class of drugs reduces the nerve impulses sent the blood vessels thereby allowing them to be more relaxed which results in lower blood pressure.

Vasodilators
A vasodilator works similar to many of the other drugs by relaxing the blood vessels and as a result lowering blood vessels. However, these medicines do not target the hormones or the heart directly. There are a large variety of these types of drugs and they act in different ways.

If you have any questions about the medications you have been prescribed you should discuss it with your doctor. Various types of medications and brands will suit different individuals so if you feel that the medications you are on are not making you feel better, then your doctor may be able to prescribe a different type. Consideration also needs to go to any other conditions you may have as sometimes certain medications should not be taken with others.

Having hypertension is not a death sentence and can you rectified if you stick to the advice given to you by your doctor. Aside from the medication, you will reduce your blood pressure much faster if you improve the amount of activity you do each day (eg, exercise), even if its just a couple of short walks throughout the day. Anything will help your condition improve. You should also eat a fresh, low fat, low sodium diet that contains a wide variety of foods. Try to eat fruit or vegetables with each meal and only eat lean cuts of meat (ie, no visible fat). Chicken and white fish are good low fat sources of protein, but be sure to remove the skin from the chicken and grill, rather than fry the meat.

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