7 Types of High Blood Pressure Medications You Need to Know
Patients with hypertension generally need to take high blood pressure drugs regularly. There are various types of high blood pressure drugs and have different ways of working. Therefore, its consumption is not arbitrary and needs to be adjusted to the patient's condition.
ACE inhibitors are usually given to the elderly or people with hypertension who have other medical conditions, such as heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Examples of ACE inhibitors that are often used are captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, and ramipril. There are several side effects of ACE inhibitor drugs, namely dry cough, headache, dizziness, hyperkalemia, and skin rash.
This high blood pressure drug can also increase the risk of abnormalities or defects in the fetus if consumed by pregnant women.
Usually, doctors will prescribe this drug to people with hypertension who are not compatible with ACE inhibitor drugs. Examples of ARB drugs are candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, and valsartan.
High blood pressure drugs of the ARB class have several side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, and an increased risk of fetal death when consumed by pregnant women.
In addition to lowering blood pressure, this class of drugs can also be used to treat arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism.
Examples of beta-blocking drugs are atenolol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol. Side effects that are often experienced after taking this drug are dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and shortness of breath.
Therefore, the use of beta-blocking drugs may need to be avoided by hypertensive patients who have asthma.
This drug is usually given at the same time as a beta-blocker. Examples of CCB drugs are amlodipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine.
Just like other types of high blood pressure drugs, CCBs also cause side effects. Some of the side effects that can arise from the use of CCBs are headache, swollen legs, palpitations, and constipation.
Examples of diuretic drugs are furosemide, torsemide, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide. Diuretic drugs can cause side effects such as dizziness, frequent thirst, frequent urination, muscle cramps, dehydration, skin rashes, and the appearance of gout.
Types of nitrate drugs are isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and glyceryl trinitrate. This nitrate high blood pressure drug can cause side effects such as dizziness, facial flushing, nausea, hypotension, and an uncomfortable feeling in the mouth.
Alpha-blocking drugs are generally not the primary high blood pressure drug of choice. This drug is usually given to people with hypertension who also have other medical conditions, such as benign prostate enlargement and peripheral artery disease.
Examples of drugs belonging to the alpha-blocker class are terazosin, prazosin, and tamsulosin. The side effects of this class of drugs are dizziness and orthostatic hypotension, which is a decrease in blood pressure when the body position changes.
In addition to treatment, people with hypertension are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle and check their health conditions regularly to the doctor. If necessary, people with hypertension can also check their blood pressure regularly at home with a sphygmomanometer.
The dosage and list of high blood pressure drugs need to be adjusted to the condition of each patient. That is why people with hypertension need to consult a doctor first to determine the type of high blood pressure medication that is suitable and safe to use according to their condition.
Normal blood pressure is at 120/80 mmHg or slightly below that number. A person can be said to have high blood pressure or hypertension if his blood pressure is at a value of 130/80 mmHg or more.
Hypertension can appear without symptoms and is often only detected during routine health checks or medical check-ups. High blood pressure that is not treated immediately can lead to many complications, such as heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke.
Hypertension can appear without symptoms and is often only detected during routine health checks or medical check-ups. High blood pressure that is not treated immediately can lead to many complications, such as heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke.
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Various Types of High Blood Pressure Medication
These high blood pressure drugs are quite diverse and are divided into several types, namely:1. ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors)
ACE inhibitors work by blocking the production of the hormone angiotensin, a hormone that can constrict blood vessels. With this drug, the muscles of the blood vessel walls will relax and widen slightly, so that the pressure on the blood vessels is reduced.ACE inhibitors are usually given to the elderly or people with hypertension who have other medical conditions, such as heart disease, heart failure, kidney disease, and diabetes.
Examples of ACE inhibitors that are often used are captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, and ramipril. There are several side effects of ACE inhibitor drugs, namely dry cough, headache, dizziness, hyperkalemia, and skin rash.
This high blood pressure drug can also increase the risk of abnormalities or defects in the fetus if consumed by pregnant women.
2. ARBs (angiotensin II receptor blockers)
ARBs have almost the same effect as ACE inhibitors, but they work differently. ARBs block the action of the hormone angiotensin, which constricts blood vessels, so that blood vessels can widen so that blood circulation runs smoothly while lowering blood pressure.Usually, doctors will prescribe this drug to people with hypertension who are not compatible with ACE inhibitor drugs. Examples of ARB drugs are candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, and valsartan.
High blood pressure drugs of the ARB class have several side effects, such as dizziness, headaches, and an increased risk of fetal death when consumed by pregnant women.
3. Beta-blockers (beta-blockers)
Beta-blocking drugs work by blocking the effects of the hormones epinephrine or adrenaline, which are hormones that play a role in increasing blood flow and pressure. Because of these effects, this class of drugs can make the heartbeat slow and lower blood pressure.In addition to lowering blood pressure, this class of drugs can also be used to treat arrhythmias or heart rhythm disorders, heart failure, heart disease, and hyperthyroidism.
Examples of beta-blocking drugs are atenolol, bisoprolol, and metoprolol. Side effects that are often experienced after taking this drug are dizziness, headache, nausea, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, and shortness of breath.
Therefore, the use of beta-blocking drugs may need to be avoided by hypertensive patients who have asthma.
4. CCB (calcium channel blocker)
Calcium is a mineral that plays a role in increasing the strength of the heart muscle and blood vessels. CCBs work by blocking the entry of calcium into the heart muscle and blood vessel walls, thereby making the cells of the heart and blood vessels relax and relax. This effect makes blood pressure decrease.This drug is usually given at the same time as a beta-blocker. Examples of CCB drugs are amlodipine, nicardipine, diltiazem, verapamil, and nifedipine.
Just like other types of high blood pressure drugs, CCBs also cause side effects. Some of the side effects that can arise from the use of CCBs are headache, swollen legs, palpitations, and constipation.
5. Diuretics
Diuretics work by removing excess water and sodium in the body so that the amount of fluid and salt that flows in the blood vessels decreases. This effect can cause a decrease in blood pressure.Examples of diuretic drugs are furosemide, torsemide, spironolactone, and hydrochlorothiazide. Diuretic drugs can cause side effects such as dizziness, frequent thirst, frequent urination, muscle cramps, dehydration, skin rashes, and the appearance of gout.
6. Nitrates
Nitrates function to dilate blood vessels, so that blood flow to the heart increases and the heart does not pump blood more vigorously. This drug can also relax blood vessels, thereby reducing the strain on the heart.Types of nitrate drugs are isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and glyceryl trinitrate. This nitrate high blood pressure drug can cause side effects such as dizziness, facial flushing, nausea, hypotension, and an uncomfortable feeling in the mouth.
7. Alpha-blockers (alpha-blockers)
This high blood pressure drug works by blocking the action of the hormone norepinephrine, which can constrict blood flow and make muscles contract. Alpha-blocking drugs can relax the blood vessel muscles, so that blood pressure decreases.Alpha-blocking drugs are generally not the primary high blood pressure drug of choice. This drug is usually given to people with hypertension who also have other medical conditions, such as benign prostate enlargement and peripheral artery disease.
Examples of drugs belonging to the alpha-blocker class are terazosin, prazosin, and tamsulosin. The side effects of this class of drugs are dizziness and orthostatic hypotension, which is a decrease in blood pressure when the body position changes.
In addition to treatment, people with hypertension are advised to maintain a healthy lifestyle and check their health conditions regularly to the doctor. If necessary, people with hypertension can also check their blood pressure regularly at home with a sphygmomanometer.
The dosage and list of high blood pressure drugs need to be adjusted to the condition of each patient. That is why people with hypertension need to consult a doctor first to determine the type of high blood pressure medication that is suitable and safe to use according to their condition.