What drugs are used to treat high blood pressure?

High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a condition where the force of blood against your artery walls is too high. It affects nearly 1 in 3 people in the US and can lead to serious health problems like stroke and heart disease if not treated properly. Fortunately, there are many drugs available that can help lower your blood pressure and keep it under control. But what exactly are these medications? Let’s take a look!

Diuretics: Where All That Peeling Begins

Diuretics – or water pills – work by removing excess fluid from your body through urination. This reduces the amount of fluid flowing through your bloodstream which lowers blood pressure.

Have you ever peed so much that you thought you might just turn into a raisin? Well then, this medication may be perfect for you!

Some common diuretic medications include Furosemide (Lasix) and Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide). These drugs come with different side effects such as dehydration, frequent urination (like really frequent), low potassium levels and increased cholesterol levels.

ACE Inhibitors: Stop Those Pesky Hormones!

ACE inhibitors interfere with an enzyme called angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) that produces hormones responsible for constricting blood vessels, raising blood pressure.

When life gives you hormones trying to make things harder for you than they already are…make some lemonade without sugar; or better yet try ACE inhibitors!

Common examples of ACE inhibitors include Lisinopril (Prinivil/Zestril), Ramipril (Altace) among others.They come handy but beware of dizziness , dry coughs when having conversations, headaches amongst other side effects

Beta-blockers: The Triple B Effect

Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and arteries which slows down your heart, reducing its workload and thereby lowering blood pressure.

There’s a new triple B in town to ease you of anxiety – Beta-blockers! It’s like CBD oil minus the weed…

Some common beta-blocker medications include Propranolol (Inderal), Atenolol (Tenormin) among others. Side effects when taken infrequently include weight gain whilst side effects when discontinued abruptly comes with extremely high blood pressure , tremors and possible mental depressive states whose causes are not yet fully known

Calcium Channel Blockers: Let’s Get This Smooth Baby!

Calcium channel blockers affect the movement of calcium into arterial cells so that they do not constrict as strongly; this leads to lower blood pressure.

Ever wondered what it feels like for everything to feel smooth? Wonder no more because calcium-channel blockers can be likened to being wrapped up in velvet from head to toe without actually doing so! How cool is that?

Examples include Amlodipine (Norvasc), Verapamil(Verelan/Isoptin), Diltiazem(Cardizem). However, some drugs under this category could come along with symptoms ranging from rash appearance all over body or in certain areas, dizziness , abdominal pain amongst other side effects .

Renin Inhibitors: Call; We Halt Production!

Renin inhibitors reduce the amount of rennin produced by your kidneys thus leading to lesser production on Angiotensin-II hormone which reduces the constriction effecton arteries.

If you’re tired of producing enough hormones for an entire village everyday then rennin inhibitors could definitely halt production processes just before they start going haywire.

Aliskiren(Tekturna) is an example medication used under this class but should be taken with caution due to a handful bouquet full of side effetsranging from low glucose intolerances , lightheadedness and other uncommon side effects

ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers): A Knot Untied

ARBs block the hormone called angiotensin-II from acting on certain receptors which dilates blood vessels leading to lower blood pressure.

Hypertension sounds like you’re caught up in a knot that needs untying. Well, with Angiotensin II receptor blockers , you could now achieve just that!

Examples include Candesartan(Atacand), Losartan(Cozaar) amongst others ; and although effective , they often come along withdizzy spells or lightheadedness along dry mouth and presence of diarrhea amongst other reaction symptoms

Let’s summarize!

Here’s a quick table summarizing all the classes of drugs we’ve talked about:

Class	Examples
Diuretics	Furosemide(Lasix), Hydrochlorothiazide(Microzide)
ACE Inhibitors	Lisinopril(Prinivil/Zestril), Ramipril (Altace)
Beta-blockers	Propranolol(Inderal), Atenolol(Tenormine)
Calcium Channel Blockers	Amlodipine(Norvasc), verapamil(Verelan/Isoptin));Diltiazem(Cardizem))
Renin inhibitors	Aliskiren(Tekturna)
ARBs(AngiotensionII reciprocation blockade)	Candesartan(Atacand);Losarttaran(Cozaar)

In conclusion, there are many types of medications available to help treat high blood pressure. Each class has its own unique properties so it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider before selecting a medication. However remember, the effects of hypertension have the ability to impact your daily wellbeing either subtly or severely, hence it’s important not to leave it untreated. So go ahead, show those pesky high blood pressure readings who’s boss and make use of that medication bottle!