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  |  General Health  |  Diseases and conditions  |  How to keep your blood pressure down
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How to keep your blood pressure down

continued from page 5

Types of drugs
There are 4 main classes of drugs that are recommended by the British Hypertension Society as first line treatment for hypertension. The first line treatment, within those 4 classes, depends on a number of other factors including other health problems, age, and ethnic origin. The other 3 drug classes are only used if the `Big 4? don?t do the job, even when given in combination.

  • Diuretics. These rid the body of excess fluids and salt and are the most frequently used drugs to treat high blood pressure. However, in large doses, diuretics deplete the body of potassium, which can lead to irregular heartbeats, and a reduction in glucose tolerance - which can cause diabetes. Still, diuretics are inexpensive and effective.

  • Beta blockers. These drugs reduce your heart rate and therefore your heart's output of blood; however they are not suitable for asthmatics, those with a slow pulse or peripheral vascular disease. They also can mask hypoglycaemia, so you should not take beta blockers if you have diabetes and are on insulin. Some common side effects include fatigue, breathlessness, depression and decreased libido. Other milder side effects can include difficulty sleeping and numbness or tingling of the toes, fingers, or scalp. On the plus side, beta blockers can reduce your risk for second heart attack, irregular heartbeat, angina, and migraines. Until recently, beta blockers were routinely given as first line treatment for hypertension, often combined with a diuretic. However, recent research has suggested that they may not be as effective as the other 3 main classes in preventing strokes, so their use as first line drugs has been modified.

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors). These drugs interfere with the body's production of angiotensin, a chemical that causes the arteries to constrict. This causes the muscle in your arteries to relax, allowing them to widen. The most common side effect is a dry, persistent cough. An added benefit of ACE inhibitors is that they slow the rate at which your kidneys deteriorate if you have diabetes-related kidney disease. However, you should not be on ACE inhibitors if you are pregnant, because they can cause life-threatening foetal complications.

  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers.A newer class of drugs that act on the angiotensin system, these dilate blood vessels and increase the amount of blood the heart pumps out. Their effectiveness can be increased if diuretics are given at the same time. These drugs do not cause you to cough as ACE inhibitors may.


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    Created: 07/03/2002  Updated: 10/10/2007

    This iVillage Health service area is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for personal medical attention, diagnosis or hands-on treatment. If you are concerned about your health or that of a child, please consult your family's health provider immediately and do not wait for a response from our professionals. For the full Disclaimer, click here.
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