How to choose effective high blood pressure medications

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One health problem that is quite common in the world is the problem of high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. To overcome this problem, people with hypertension are encouraged to routinely take high blood pressure medication.

The problem is that most people with hypertension only want to take high blood pressure medication when their blood pressure is high. In fact, high blood pressure medications should be consumed regularly for life even when the condition is normal blood pressure. Because if this hypertension medication is not taken regularly, blood pressure will become increasingly difficult to control and can cause very dangerous complications.

To get the right hypertension medication, it's good that we don't buy it carelessly. Check your health condition to the doctor first to get a prescription for hypertension medication that is in accordance with your health condition.

There are many hypertension medications with different ways of working on the market, some of which are:

1. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

ACE inhibitors reduce blood pressure by reducing the production of Angiotensin hormones. Angiotensin hormones are bodily hormones that function to constrict blood vessels. By reducing the production of this hormone, the blood vessels will relax so that blood pressure decreases.

Examples of names of ACE inhibitors medications :

• Benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin)
• Captopril (Capoten)
• Trandolapril (Mavik) 
• Enalapril Maleate (Vasotec)
• Fosinopril sodium (Monopril)
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
• Perindopril (Aceon)
• Quinapril hydrochloride (Accupril)
• Ramipril (Altace)
• Moexipril (Univasc)

2. Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium increases the strength and strength of contractions in the heart and blood vessels. Blocking entry into smooth muscle tissue reduces this effect. Calcium channel blockers reduce blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and reducing heart rate.

Examples of calcium channel blocker medications:

• Amlodipine besylate (Norvasc, Lotrel)
• Clevidipine (Cleviprex)
• Felodipine (Plendil)
• Isradipine (DynaCirc, DynaCirc CR)
• Nicardipine (Cardene SR)
• Nimodipine (Nimotop, Nymalize)
• Verapamil hydrochloride (Calan SR, Isoptin SR, Verelan, Covera HS)
• Nifedipine (Adalat CC, Procardia XL)

3. Diuretics

Diuretic medications reduce blood pressure in the body by reducing the amount of fluid in the blood vessels. The workings of diuretic drugs is to eliminate excess water and sodium levels in the body so that it will make us urinate frequently.

Examples of names of diuretic medications:

• Bumetanide (Bumex)
• Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
• Ethacrynate (Edecrin)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Hydrochlorothiazide HCTZ (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Microzide)
• Indapamide (Lozol)
• Methyclothiazide (Enduron)
• Metolazone (Mykroz, Zaroxolyn)
• Torsemide (Demadex)

One side effect of diuretics is the loss of potassium, which is taken out of the body in the urine along with sodium. Potassium is needed for proper muscle movement and lack of this mineral can cause fatigue, weakness, leg cramps, and even problems with the heart. Often, patients with diuretics are advised to use traditional medicines by eating potassium-rich foods, such as orange juice or bananas, or given potassium supplement recipes.

Some diuretics were then developed to overcome the problem of potassium loss. These hypertension drugs are known as "potassium-saving" diuretics. They include amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium).

Finally, there is a combination of diuretics, which include traditional potassium and diuretic sparing agents. These include amiloride hydrochloride and HCTZ hydrochlorothiazide (Moduretic), spironolactone and HCTZ (Aldactazide), and triamterene and HCTZ (Dyazide, Maxzide).


4. Angiostensin II Reception Blocker

The angiotensin hormone constricts the blood vessels, but to do its job needs a place to tie. That's where Angiostensin II Reception Blocker entered. They prevent angiotensin from binding to receptors in blood vessels and that help lower blood pressure.

Examples of names of Angiostensin II Reception Blocker medications:

• Azilsartan (Edarbi)
• Candesartan (Atacand)
• Eprosartan mesylate (Teveten)
• Irbesarten (Avapro)
• Losartin Potassium (Cozaar)
• Olmesartan (Benicar)
• Telmisartan (Micardis)
• Valsartan (Diovan)

5. Beta blockers

This drug lowers blood pressure by reducing the effects of adrenal hormones on the body. With the reduced effect of the hormone Adrenalin, the heart will work more slowly. As a result, the pulse and strength of the heart pump also decreases so that the volume of blood flowing in the blood vessels and the pressure decreases.

Example name for beta blockers medications:

• Acebutolol (Sectral)
• Bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta)
• Carvedilol (Coreg) - Combined alpha / beta blockers
• Esmilol (Brevibloc)
• Labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne) - Combined alpha / beta blockers
• Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) and metoprolol succinate (Toprol-XL)
• Nadolol (Corgard)
• Nebivolol (Bystolic)
• Penbutolol sulfate (Levatol)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Sotalol (Betapace)
• HCTZ and bisoprolol (Ziac) are beta blockers plus diuretics

6. Alpha blockers

Alpha blocker medications work by blocking the hormone norepinephrine, which is responsible for tightening blood vessel muscles. With the reduced effect of this hormone, the muscles of the blood vessels will become more loose so that the blood vessels will expand and blood pressure will drop.

Alpha Blocker medications example:

• Prazosin Hydrochloride
• Terazosin Hydrochloride

7. Alpha-2 Receptor Agonist

Methyldopa, formerly known as the Aldomet brand name, is one of the oldest high blood pressure drugs still in use. It was first introduced more than 50 years ago. Methyldopa works in the central nervous system to lower blood pressure. While general use has declined over the years, methyldopa is considered the first line of treatment for high blood pressure that develops during pregnancy.

Best High Blood Pressure Medication

Choosing the "best" high blood pressure medication depends on a number of things, including the patient's general health, age, ethnicity, and whether they have medical problems or drug sensitivity.

For example, in hypertensive patients with asthma, it might not be approved to prescribe beta blockers, because these drugs can worsen the respiratory condition. Likewise, in patients who are susceptible to constipation (elderly people, for example) the use of certain calcium channel blockers may be avoided - along with diuretics - because these two classes of drugs can be used in intestinal function.

African-American patients agree that some antihypertensive drugs are better than others.

Certain groups of patients require the use of a special class of high blood pressure medications, including:

1. Pregnant woman

The drug of choice for hypertension, a pregnant woman is one of the oldest high blood pressure drugs on the market. Methyldopa, which functions to lower blood pressure through the central nervous system, has the lowest risk of hurting the developing mother and fetus. Other safe choices include labetalol, beta blockers, and diuretics. Two classes of drugs that should never have been used during pregnancy include ACE and Angiostensin II inhibitors Reception Blocker.

2. African-Americans
Hypertension in African-Americans tends to occur earlier in life and tends to be more severe. In addition, some drugs that try to lower blood pressure in other ethnic groups may have limited effects on African-Americans. Thiazide diuretics (such as HCTZ) or calcium channel blockers are recommended first choice along with the possibility of a second additive drug either from the ACE inhibitor class or the Angiostensin II Reception Blocker group.

3. Elderly patients

With increasing age, there is an increased risk of systolic hypertension which can be aggravated by severe atherosclerosis. According to one study, diuretic chlorthalidone (Hygroton) has significant benefits in elderly patients with systolic hypertension. Together with diuretics, some calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and Angiostensin II Reception Blockers may also be a good choice.

However, beta blockers may not be effective for hypertension in those over 60 years of age; although they may be a good choice if heart disease is present together. It may also be better for elderly patients to give two drugs for high blood pressure at lower doses than one with a higher dose.

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