Previously, elderly members of our family used to complain about high blood pressure, and doctors used to assure them by saying that it was a normal issue in aged individuals. But today's younger generation is facing similar problems. And the doctors are alarmed! What is causing high blood pressure in younger individuals? A fast life and stress in very field - professional as well as personal! People even do not find proper time to take healthy homemade meals! Tension and improper diet are solely responsible for causing high blood pressure problems.
What is Blood Pressure?
When the blood passes from the heart to various organs and cells through the blood vessels, it exerts a pressure on these vessels. This pressure is termed as blood pressure.
What is the Normal Blood Pressure Recording?
In normal condition, the systolic and diastolic blood pressure recording should stand at 120/80 mm Hg. When the pressure gets raised beyond this limit , the condition is termed as Hypertension. Hypertension can be either essential (unlike other diseases, the origin of hypertension remains to be unknown) or secondary (origin is secondary to some other disease).
If hypertension remains untreated, it might lead to severe health effects like stroke. Hence, consistency in medication use plays a prime role in maintaining appropriate blood pressure levels. Besides medication, a healthy lifestyle and a nutritious diet are also required to maintain a normal value of the blood pressure.
What are the Most Commonly Used Hypertension Medications?
- Beta Blockers: When the heart beats faster and harder, the blood vessels constrict, resulting in an elevation of blood pressure. These prescription medicines help in reducing blood pressure by slowing the pace at which the heart beats. Beta-blockers are also often used to treat an irregular heart beat. While most people who take beta-blockers have no side effects, but they make make you feel tired as they slow your heart.
- Diuretics: Too much sodium in the blood draws more water into the blood. More water increases the volume of blood which raises blood pressure. Diuretics facilitate the excretion of sodium (salt) through frequent urination. Using potassium sparing diuretics is more beneficial as some diuretics would lead to potassium depletion causing hypokelemia (low potassium levels in blood). This condition can cause the heart to beat unevenly.
What are Other Medications to Treat Hypertension?
- Beta Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors): As the name suggests, this medicine slows down the production of angiotensin (a hormone, which leads to narrowing of blood vessels). This keeps the passage of blood vessels smooth and relaxed.
- Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs): These medicines block the receptor points of angiotensin in the cells and hence angiotensin fails to perform its action of narrowing the blood vessels. This keeps the passage relaxed and help in the normalization of blood pressure.
- Calcium Antagonist: Calcium also plays a role in constricting the blood vessels. This medicine blocks the reception of calcium by the cells and prevents it from entering the cells.
- Vasodilators: These medicines work directly on the blood vessels and relax the muscles. Their action dilates the blood vessels and facilitates a better flow of blood. These medications are normally used in cases of angina (chest pain which results due to scarcity of oxygen-rich blood in the heart muscle) and congestive heart failure.
- Alpha Beta Blockers: These medications help by reducing the intensity of nerve impulse and smoothening the muscles of the nerve in order to facilitate an easy blood flow. They also slow down the pace at which heart beats. This further reduces the pressure on the blood vessel.
This was only to provide you a clear idea about the different hypertension medications available in the market. But these medicines should always be taken only after your doctor prescribes them to you. You should also refrain from increasing or decreasing the dosage on your own without the doctor's approval.
