High blood pressure (hypertension) increases a person's risk for serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke. According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure lowering medications provide a valuable treatment option for people for which dietary lifestyle and physical activity have proven ineffective. Though the medications can effectively reduce blood pressure and improve overall health, numerous side effects may occur. Since blood pressure medications affect people differently, your doctor's guidance and supervision is key.
Diuretic Side Effects
Diuretics medications lower blood pressure by ridding the body of excess sodium and fluid through urination. They may be used singularly or in combination with other blood pressure medications. According to the Mayo Clinic, potential side effects of diuretics include hyponatremia (low sodium levels in the blood), increased cholesterol, increased blood sugar, skin rashes, joint pain, menstrual abnormalities in women and impotence and/or breast growth in men.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors work by expanding blood vessels and decreasing resistance, which causes blood to flow more easily throughout the body and reducing the heart's workload. The most common side effect of ACE inhibitors, according to the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Hospital, is a dry cough. Less common side effects include headache, diarrhea, reduced sense of taste, steel taste in the mouth, reduced appetite, indigestion, sun sensitivity, exhaustion, dizziness, joint pain, fever and tingling of the extremities. In rare cases, people taking ACE inhibitors develop chills, fever, swelling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) or abnormal bruising.
Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists
Angiotensin-2 (AT-2) receptor blockers work by relaxing the muscles, which relaxes the blood vessels and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. Potential side effects of AT-2 include headache, dizziness, nasal congestion, leg and back pain, and diarrhea. In rare cases, serious symptoms can develop, such as angioedema (swollen tissues), kidney or liver failure, allergic reaction and reduced white blood cell production.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers, also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, limit the effects of the hormone epinephrine. Beta blockers reduce the heart rate and improve blood flow by opening arteries. People taking beta blockers may experience fatigue, chilled hands, weakness or dizziness. Less often, sleep difficulties, reduced libido, shortness of breath or depression arise. Since beta blockers can adversely affect breathing, they are not intended for people with asthma, according to the Mayo Clinic.
