What Is HBP What Causes HBP Blood Pressure Cholesterol Reading Charts Cures Aromatherapy Diet Herbal & Remedies Medications Monitors Symptoms Alternative Treatments Signs Women Administrative
Choosing the best blood pressure medication depends upon a number of conditions such as age, family history and poor general health can all pit the odds against you. But remember, hypertension is mainly a lifestyle disorder and how you choose to live will determine whether or not your health will be affected by these risk factors.
Your Age: Not all high blood pressure medications are suitable for every age. Older people often have elevated systolic blood pressure which has been attributed to increased peripheral resistance in their arteries, so they are often given a combination of drugs. While youngster are often suggested to focus more on controlling their weight, exercising and developing healthy eating habits.
Family History: Your genetic makeup influences how well your body is able to control your blood pressure. If your parents or grandparents have/had hypertension disorder it increases your chances of developing this condition. Also if you are African-Americans you are most seriously affected, because hypertension is the number one cause of death.
Other Diseases: If you are diabetic let your doctor know. For instance, a prescription for a heart patient would be entirely different from that of a person with a kidney disorder.
Some Of The Best Blood Pressure Medications
Keep in mind that your doctor will always prescribe the best blood pressure medication that fits your body's need and the severity of your blood pressure.
Here are some of the widely recommended and used medications for lowering your blood pressure.
Diuretics also known as water pills have been used as a treatment for hypertension for over fifty years. Diuretics are considered the standard first line of drug therapy to stimulate your kidneys to excrete more salt and fluid. You will be advised to drink plenty of water to help flush your system.
Calcium Channel Blockers slow the movement of calcium into your muscle cells. This reduces the fore of contraction of your heart, relaxes your arteries, and allows your peripheral veins to dilate so that they can hold more blood. Side effects may include constipation, ankle swelling and headaches.
Beta Blockers reduces your heart's pumping intensity, reducing your blood pressure sensors in the walls of your heart and blood vessels, altering the way your blood vessels dilate or constrict and also inhibit the kidney's release of renin. Beta Blockers have the most potential side effects than any other medication for hypertension. These drugs limit your ability to exercise and with long term use weakens your heart muscle.
ACE Inhibitors involves angiotensin-coverting enzyme preventing the productions of angiotensin II, a powerful blood vessel constrictor, from reaching your small arteries and veins so that they are able to dilate, causing your blood pressure to lower suddenly. The most troublesome side-effect of this drug is a persistent dry cough.
Risk Factors Beyond Your Control
You can change your diet, start exercising, and manage your stress, but still there are some risk factors over which you have no control. Some people are just more prone to hypertension than others.
So rely on your doctor to prescribe the best blood pressure medication.