Recently, the occurrence of hypertension, even at a very young age, has given way to the formation of different health societies focusing on hypertension management. Antihypertensive drugs are therapeutically used in lowering blood pressure and are part of a hypertension treatment regimen. Lifestyle changes, coupled with the right kind of diet, are also of great help in hypertension management.
Antihypertensive drugs are prescription medications, and self-medication is highly discouraged. The cause of hypertension may not simply be because of high levels of cholesterol; it may be due to other factors such as too much sodium in the blood, constriction of blood vessels due to fat deposits, a side effect caused by some medications, or a complication brought about by other diseases such as diabetes.
Theantihypertensive drug consists of different classifications based on their mechanism of action. Since hypertension may occur due to different reasons and factors, it will be of great importance to know what factors are involved in its development. For example, diuretics help the body in decreasing too much sodium ions that cause the blood pressure to rise. Beta-blockers, which include atenolol, propranolol and metoprolol, aim to lower blood pressure by antagonizing the effect of beta-receptors that cause vasoconstriction. The beta-blockers lower blood pressure by causing vasodilatation.
The angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or ACE inhibitors that include captopril and enalapril are important in hypertension management. This class of drugs acts by blocking the effect of angiotensin II that causes hypertension and thus, achieving a decrease in blood pressure.
Another very common class of antihypertensive drugs is the calcium channel blockers. Drugs of this class include nifedipine. The vasodilators, on the other hand, are a class of antihypertensive drugs that directly dilate blood vessels to increase peripheral blood flow. This effect is important in lowering high blood pressure.
As with all other drugs, side effects and adverse drug reactions may also occur while on antihypertensive drugs maintenance, so practice caution and awareness for any occurrence of unwanted side effects.
