High Blood Pressure Medications List

On the advice of their doctor, many people are forced to take high blood pressure medications. But the choices of available medicines on the market can be confusing.

The hypertension levels in some patients is so extreme that they have to take multiple high blood pressure medications to keep their blood pressure under control.

High Blood Pressure Medications List

The following are the most common medicines used to control high blood pressure. In all cases, they are most effective when combined with healthy lifestyle changes. None should be used without a doctor's oversight.

Diuretics - these are a very popular type of high blood pressure medicine for mild cases of hypertension. It works mainly by flushing water, and excess sodium with it, from the body. For more serious cases of hypertension, additional medications may be prescribed. One thing to be aware of when taking diuretics is that it often potassium is flushed out of the body along with the excess sodium. And, potassium helps to lower blood pressure. So, if using diuretics, you may want to increase your intake of foods with high potassium to keep your potassium levels up. Talk to your doctor and see if he has any concerns.

Ace Inhibitors - these work on the body at a hormonal level. Specifically, they block or inhibit the hormone angiotensin from constricting the blood vessels. This allows the blood vessels to relax and widen which enables blood to flow more freely and effortless through the cardiovascular system.

Alpha blockers - much like ace inhibitors, this type of medication for high blood pressure works at the hormonal level to help to relax the muscles. However, while ace inhibitors targets the angiotensin hormone, alpha blocker target the norepinephrine hormone. The overall effect is the same, however, in that the relaxed muscles help the blood vessels to stay open thus reducing blood pressure.

Beta Blockers - this class of high blood pressure medicines work by blocking the effect of adrenaline on the body. If you are easily stressed out or under constant stress in your daily life, odds are that your adrenaline levels are higher than normal. Adrenaline can cause massive changes in the body - including a much higher level of blood pressure. Depending on the type of beta blocker, it will block the effect of adrenaline by widening your blood vessels, lowering your heart rate, or a combination of the two.

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