What Is the Drug of Choice for Hypertension? High Blood Pressure

Blood pressuremedications are divided into seven classes:

1. ACE inhibitors:Block a key enzyme responsible forhigh blood pressure和导致保留钠和水的the kidneys
2. Angiotensin II receptor antagonists or ARBs:Produce similar effects to ACE inhibitors but may be tolerated better; may reducecoughingand other side effects
3. Diuretics or water pills:Induce urination to rid the body of excess fluids and sodium
4. Beta-blockers:Reduceheartrate and force with which blood is pumped from the heart; used in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmias andchest pain
5. Calcium channel blockers:Prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and arteries, as calcium in the cells causes the heart to contract and the arteries to narrow
6. Peripherally acting alpha-adrenergic blockers:Relax the blood vessels
7. Vasodilators:Allow blood vessels to dilate to allow more blood to flow through

• For people under age 55, the first line of treatment is an ACE inhibitor.
• If the person is oncalcium channel blockeror thiazide-type diuretic and they require a second drug, an ACE inhibitor will be administered.
• If an ACE inhibitor is taken as the first line of treatment, a calcium channel blocker or thiazide-type diuretic will be added.
• If a person requires a three-drug regimen, an ACE inhibitor or ARB, calcium channel blocker, and thiazide-type diuretic will be administered.

Common side effects ofhigh blood pressuremedicines include:

• Cough
• Diarrheaorconstipation
• Dizzinessorlightheadedness
• Erection problems
• Nervousness
• Tiredness,weakness, drowsiness
• Headache
• Nauseaorvomiting
• Skinrash
• Weight lossor gain

Hypertension cannot be cured, and medications alone aren't enough to treat the condition. However, lifestyle changes can help controlhigh blood pressure:

• Eat a balanceddiet
• Reduce intake of salt,sugar, and carbs
• Consume foods rich in calcium and magnesium
• Quit smoking
• Limitalcoholconsumption
• Get enoughsleep
• Maintain healthy weight
• Exerciseregularly
• Managestresslevels

Hypertension occurs when the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels or artery walls is too high.

High blood pressure is caused by constriction of very small arteries known as arterioles, which control blood flow throughout the body. When the arterioles tighten, the heart must work harder to pump blood through the smaller space, and the pressure inside the vessels increases, resulting in various heart diseases.

Risk factors for high blood pressure include:

• Afro-Caribbean or South Asian ethnicity
• Diethigh in salt and fat
• Lack ofexercise
• Beingoverweight
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Stress
• Preexisting health conditions

Hypertension is known as the “silent killer” because many people are unaware they have the condition. It often causes no signs or symptoms, even when blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels.

If symptoms do occur, they may include:

• Severeheadache
• Fatigue
• Confusion
• Pounding in the chest, neck, or ears
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Chest pain
• Vision problems
• Trouble sleeping

Rare symptoms may include:

• Nosebleed
• Nauseaandvomiting
• Difficultybreathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Blood in urine
• Nervousness
• Facial flushing
• Blood spots in the eyes

• Primary or essential hypertension:The most common type of high blood pressure that has no known cause. It usually develops over a long period of time and is often the result of lifestyle, environment, and genetics.
• Secondary hypertension:This type is caused by a medical condition or medication. Secondary hypertension can be caused by various factors including:
  • Kidney problems
  • Sleep apnea
  • Thyroid or adrenal gland problems
  • Side effects of medicines such as glucocorticoids

Hypertension causes complications and problems with the heart and blood vessels, such as:

• Chestpain
• Stroke
• Mild cognitive impairment
• Brain disorders such asdementia
• Renal diseases
• Transient ischemic attack
• Eye problems
• Type IIdiabetes
• Sexual dysfunction
• Bone loss
• Sleep disorders

According to the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association blood pressure readings are divided into the following categories:

• Normal:Systolic pressure less than 120 mm Hg and diastolic pressure less than 80 mm Hg.
• Prehypertension:Systolic blood pressure between 120-139 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure between 80-89 mm Hg. Although prehypertension is not a disease, it does identify people who are at risk of stage I or II hypertension in the future. Although no medication is required for this condition, lifestyle changes must be considered.
• Stage I:Systolic blood pressure between 140-159 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure between 90-99 mm Hg.
• Stage II:Systolic pressure exceeds 160 mm Hg and diastolic pressure exceeds 100 mm Hg. To rule out cardiac andstrokeissues, your doctor may prescribe medications, lifestyle changes, and a strict diet.
• Hypertensive crisis:Systolic pressure higher than 180 mm Hg and diastolic pressure higher than 120 mm Hg (or just diastolic pressure higher than 120 mm Hg).

A hypertensive crisis is a significant or sudden increase in blood pressure readings and is divided into two categories:

• Hypertensive emergency (>180-220 mm Hg over 120-130 mm Hg):
  • End-organ damage starts or progresses in cerebrovascular, cardiovascular, or renovascular systems.
  • To avoid catastrophic organ damage, blood pressure should be checked frequently and over a period of minutes to hours, rather than aiming for normal values.
• Hypertensive urgency (>180 mm Hg/110 to 120 mm Hg):
  • End-organ damage is unlikely, but a gradual drop in blood pressure over hours or days is suggested.
  • Because chronically high blood pressure can cause end-organ damage, untreated hypertensive emergencies can occur.

A hypertensive crisis is a medical emergency. Methods for reducing stress andlowering blood pressurethrough intravenous or oral medications are among the treatment options.

The immediate goal of hypertensive crisis treatment is to gradually lower blood pressure to a safe level—not suddenly, as this can be dangerous. Depending on your specific situation and cause of hypertensive crisis, your target blood pressure and rate at which it should be reduced will differ.

The doctor will most likely implement specific treatment options listed below in a sequential order or according to the severity of your symptoms:

• Sitting in a quiet room to rest:If you have a hypertensive crisis without other symptoms or organ damage (hypertensive urgency), your doctor may first advise you to sit in a quiet room to rest first.
• Intravenous medications to lower blood pressure:Some medications such as angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and sodium nitroprusside are given intravenously to help lower your blood pressure faster.
• Oral medications to lower blood pressure:If you have a hypertensive crisis without other symptoms or organ damage (hypertensive urgency) or if your blood pressure has already been decreased with intravenousdrugs, your doctor may recommend one or more oral pills to lower your blood pressure gradually.

In critical care, people must be given a continuous infusion of a titratable short-acting antihypertensive medication. Blood pressure should be reduced in a controlled manner.