Category:Blood Pressure Medications

From Pharmacy Drug Guide

Approximately 25 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, called hypertension, according to statistics from the 2010 National Health Interview Survey.^[1] High blood pressure can cause a number of potentially-fatal conditions like stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, and coronary artery disease.^[2]

There are myriad prescription drugs available to help treat high blood pressure. Options include beta blockers like Toprol XL, angiotensin antagonists like Diovan, and vasodilators like Niacin, among many others.

Blood pressure refers to the amount of force with which blood pushes against artery walls. When this force remains high for an extended period of time, it can cause physical damage. There are two numbers in every blood pressure reading: systolic and diastolic. In an example reading of 130 over 90, presented as 130/90 mmHg, the first number represents systolic blood pressure, and the second number represents diastolic blood pressure. Systolic pressure describes the force of blood in the arteries while the heart is beating, while diastolic describes the force in between heart beats.^[3]

120/80 mmHg is generally considered to be normal blood pressure. 140/90 mmHg is typically considered high. Those with numbers in between may be diagnosed with pre-hypertension.^[3]

Blood Pressure Treatment

Lifestyle changes alone may help reduce blood pressure, but in some cases medications are also used. Typically, drugs are only recommended when other methods don't work, as serious side effects can occur with medicines. Treatment plans may include:

• Consuming adequate fluids, potassium, and fiber
• Engaging in aerobic activity
• Abstaining from cigarettes
• Drinking one or zero alcoholic drinks each day for females, or two or fewer daily drinks for males
• Limiting sodium intake
• Stress management
• Relaxation exercises
• Weight loss^[3]

Blood Pressure Medications

Many people with high blood pressure need more than one medication to lower it. In fact, up to 85% of hypertensive patients will require two or more drugs to help them reach their blood pressure goal. Some of the most common types of blood pressure medications include:

• Diuretics, or water pills. These are often a first line of defense for hypertension, and work by eliminating excess sodium in the body by causing them to be flushed out with water.^[4]
• Beta-blockers, which slow down heart rate.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors, which work by relaxing the blood vessels.
• Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels by stopping calcium from entering cells. Norvasc is an example of a calicium channel blocker.^[5]
• Renin Inhibitors, which work by inhibiting the production of a substance called renin in the body. Renin is manufactured in the kidneys, and does not directly cause high blood pressure but can initiate a series of events that raises it.
• Angiotensin receptor blockers, or ARB, block the action of certain natural substances that tighten the blood vessels, relaxing and widening the blood vessels, allowing the blood to flow more smoothly and the heart to pump more efficiently, reducing blood pressure and stress on the heart.

lisinopril, an ACE inhibitor, is the most-prescribed hypertension drug, with 87.4 million prescriptions in 2010. Brand names include Prinivil and Zestril.^[6]

References

1. ↑ http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/series/sr_10/sr10_252.pdf
2. ↑ http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Hbp/HBP_WhatIs.html
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001502/
4. ↑ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure-medication/HI00028
5. ↑ http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/hbp/treat/bpd_type.htm#angio
6. ↑ http://www.webmd.com/news/20110420/the-10-most-prescribed-drugs