High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, occurs when circulating blood is pumped through the arteries at an excessive rate. This can result in heart disease, kidney damage, stroke and hardening of the arteries. There are many blood pressure medications available to help control even the most severe cases of hypertension. Sometimes drugs are prescribed in combination to help your body maintain a safe blood pressure level.
Diuretics
Diuretics ("water pills") usually are the first line of defence your physician may implement to control high blood pressure. These types of drugs help decrease the volume of blood in your body by acting upon the kidneys. This results in the elimination of some water and salt from the body. Thiazide diuretics include chlorothiazide, metolazone and hydrochlorothiazide. Loop diuretics include furosemide, ethacrynic, torsemide and bumetanide. Potassium-sparing diuretics include eplerenone, triamterene, spironolactone and amiloride. These types of drugs can produce some side effects that include diarrhea, confusion, pain in the chest, vision blurring, headaches, urination that is difficult or painful, and nausea, among others. While diuretics often are the first medications prescribed, they are somtimes used in combination with other medicines to manage more severe hypertension.
ACE Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors are angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. They help to lessen the constriction of blood vessels to allow blood to flow through them more easily. This reduces the work of the heart and decreases blood pressure. Some ACE inhibitors include moexipril, ramipril, lisinopril, captoprill and fosinopril. These drugs also may be prescribed with diuretics for blood pressure control. Side effects from ACE inhibitors include breathing difficulties, confusion, urine clouding, blurry vision, voice loss, decreased libido, insomnia and muscle cramping, among others. These often are prescribed for people who have other major medical problems such as kidney failure, heart failure or coronary artery disease.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Angiotensin II receptor blockers are prescribed for people with hypertension who also have other major medical problems such as kidney failure, heart failure or coronary artery disease. These drugs work much the way ACE inhibitors do by reducing the blood vessel constriction to ease the heart's workload. Examples of these drugs include losartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, valsartan and candesartan. Side effects from angiotensin II receptor blockers can include tiredness, spots or swelling on various parts of the body including the genitals, face, feet, throat, lips, eyelids and hands, anxiety, diarrhea, headaches and pain in the muscles. These drugs also might be prescribed with diuretics.
Vasodilators
Vasodilators are used when other types of high blood pressure medications aren't keeping blood pressure in check. They prevent arterial muscles from becoming tight and keep the arterial walls from becoming narrow. This reduces the work of the heart. Examples of vasodilators are minoxidil and hydralazine. Side effects can include tachycardia or a rapid heartbeat, pain in the muscles, joints or chest, fever and weakness, among others.
