Medications for High Blood Pressure
Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when the heart pumps an
increased amount of blood while the arteries become more narrow and
resistant to blood flow. If left untreated, the risk of serious health conditions
such as heart attack and stroke can increase. The risk of high blood
pressure increases with age. Typically, there are no signs or symptoms
to indicate the presence of hypertension until blood pressure has risen
to undesirable levels. In most persons, the cause is unknown. Certain
types of over-the-counter medications, such as decongestants, as well
as certain types of prescription medications may cause an increase in a
person’s blood pressure.
Lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious diet and getting regular
physical activity, are helpful in treating high blood pressure. There are
several categories of medications that may be prescribed, including thiazide
diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and calcium channel
blockers. Aliskiren (Tekturna) is a new renin inhibitor. This medication
works to block the enzyme renin from initiating a chemical event that
leads to increased blood pressure. While this medication may be used
alone, it may be more effective when used in combination with other
blood pressure medicines.