Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a common condition affecting the force of blood against your blood vessels. The Mayo Clinic states that manifestations of hypertension include headaches, nosebleeds or dizziness. If left untreated, hypertension can damage your arteries and lead to aneurysms (weakened blood vessels that may rupture). Heart failure (a condition in which your heart does not pump enough blood to your body) and narrow vessels in your kidney or eye are other symptoms of hypertension. Go to your doctor regularly in order to check whether you have hypertension, as it can be treated easily.
Diuretic Medications
According to the American Heart Association, diuretic medications such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide treat hypertension by ridding your body of excess water and salt. Diuretics can cause such side effects as hypokalemia (low potassium levels in your body), leg cramps and fatigue. With chronic diuretic use, gout attacks are possible. Significant symptoms of gout attacks include sudden pain in the toe, knee or ankles. You may have elevated blood sugar levels, especially If you suffer from diabetes (condition characterized by intense hunger and thirst).
Beta Blocker Medications
According to the Mayo Clinic, beta blocker medications such as atelenol widen your blood vessels and reduce the work on your heart. Beta blockers are most effective when combined with a diuretic. A side effect of beta blockers is bradycardia (slow heartbeat).
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors such as captopril and lisinopril lower blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. According to the American Heart Association, its side effects include a chronic dry cough, a skin rash, loss of taste and, rarely, kidney damage.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine besylate also work to manage hypertension. Specifically, the Mayo Clinic states that this medication relaxes the muscles in your blood vessels and, thus, decreases the pressure on your blood vessels. Avoid grapefruit juice as this can interact with calcium channel blockers and increase the likelihood of such side effects as headache, dizziness or swollen ankles.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
The American Heart Association states that angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as valsartan blocks the binding sites in which a chemical called angiotensin (a chemical responsible for narrowing your blood vessels) attaches. ARBs keep your blood vessels open, and your blood pressure is maintained.
Renin Inhibitors
Renin inhibitors such as aliskiren reduces renin (a natural chemical produced in your kidneys that initiates a set of reactions that increase your blood pressure) production and, therefore, high blood pressure.
Alpha Blockers
Alpha blockers such as doxazosin mesylate decreases your arteries' resistance and relaxes your blood vessels, states the American Heart Association. Dizziness, tachycardia (fast heartbeat) and hypotension (low blood pressure) are possible side effects of alpha blockers.
Other Medications
The Mayo Clinic states that alpha-beta blockers, central-acting agents and vasodilators are additional treatments for hypertension. Alpha-beta blockers such as carvedilol reduces nerve communication to your blood vessels and can slow your heartbeat. This decreases blood flow through your blood vessels and decreases high blood pressure.
Central-acting agents prevent communication between your central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and blood vessels so your heart rate does not increase, and your blood vessels don't narrow.
Vasodilators prevent your blood vessel muscles from tightening, states the Mayo Clinic.
