High Blood Pressure Conventional Treatments

High Blood Pressure Medications

There are multiple ways that high blood pressure can be treated. The most natural way is a lifestyle change. Diet is a particular concern, especially sodium intake. If measures are taken to improve diet and to get more exercise, it’s possible that can often bring blood pressure to normal levels. However, that is not always the case. If diet and exercise alone doesn’t work, a doctor may recommend medical treatment.

Some of the more prominent medication used to control high blood pressure include the following:

ACE Inhibitors - An ACE inhibitor (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) works by inhibiting the formation of the angiotensin converting enzyme, which causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract. This helps widen the patient’s blood vessels to increase the amount of blood the heart pumps, thereby lowering blood pressure. Some top ACE Inhibitors include:

• Benazepril
• Captopril
• Ramipril
• Capoten
• Vasotec
• Aceon
• Accupril
• Univasc
• Mavik
• Monapril

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers - Unlike ACE inhibitors, an angiotensin II receptor blocker inhibits the action - not formation - of the angiotensin converting enzyme, allowing blood to flow readily through your body, lowering blood pressure. Learn what options are available and their side effects. Brand names of ARBs include:

• Atacand
• Teveten
• Avapro
• Hyzaar
• Benicar
• Micardis
• Diovan HCT
• Cozaar

Diuretics - Often referred to as water pills, diuretics act upon the kidneys to help your body get rid of excess water and salt through the urine. This helps lower blood pressure. Brand names of various types of diuretics include:

• Hygroton
• Lasix
• Esidrix
• Hydrodiuril
• Microzide
• Lozol
• Mykrox
• Zaroxolyn

Potassium-sparing diuretics:

• Midamar
• Aldactone
• Dyrenium

Combination diuretics:

• Moduretic
• Aldactazide
• Dyazide
• Maxzide

Beta-Blockers - These medications work by causing your heart to beat slower and with less force, reducing the workload on your heart and opening your blood vessels. Brand name medications include:

• Sectral
• Tenormin
• Kerlone
• Zebeta
• Cartrol
• Lopressor
• Toprol-XL
• Corgard
• Levatol
• Visken
• Inderal
• Blocadren

Calcium Channel Blockers - This blocking medication also helps widen blood vessels and make it easier for the heart to pump blood. It does so by relaxing muscles in your blood vessels. Brand name medications include:

• Norvasc
• Cardizem CD
• Cardizem SR
• Dilacor XR
• Tiazac
• Plendil
• DynaCirc
• DynaCirc CR
• Cardene SR
• Adalat CC
• Procardia XL
• Sular
• Calan SR
• Covera HS
• Isoptin SR
• Verelan