10. Limit Caffeine
Caffeine may increase blood pressure because it inhibits the production of the hormone that keeps arteries open.
Limiting caffeine intake may not only help manage your high blood pressure, but it may also improve overall health. Studies have found that people who regularly consume caffeinated drinks have a higher blood pressure than those who don’t.
9. Diuretics
Diuretics work by relaxing blood vessel walls, thereby lowering blood pressure. They are typically used in conjunction with other prescription medicines. Some diuretics work by increasing urine production, while others work by reducing blood volume through a combination of different techniques.
There is no single medication that is the best choice for treating high blood pressure, and finding the right one can often involve trial and error. Diuretics are often the first medicines a healthcare provider tries.
8. Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers work by blocking the action of a hormone called adrenaline, which causes the body’s “fight-or-flight” response. They also slow down the heart’s rate, which makes it pump blood more slowly and more efficiently. In addition, they relax the blood vessels and improve blood flow.
Beta-blockers are one of the most popular drugs prescribed by cardiologists. However, they are not recommended as a first-line treatment for high blood pressure.
7. Alpha-Beta-Blockers
Alpha-beta-blockers are a class of medicines used to treat high blood pressure. They work by keeping the hormone norepinephrine from tightening the muscles in the arteries. This relaxes the vessels, which improves blood flow and reduces blood pressure.
These medicines are not the first choice of medicine for treating hypertension and are usually used along with other medications.
6. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors work by inhibiting the production of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict. The tightening of blood vessels increases pressure. In addition, angiotensin II increases the level of water-retaining hormone, which increases blood pressure.
While ACE inhibitors are recommended for people with hypertension, they are not considered to be the first treatment for high blood pressure.
5. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Angiotensin II receptor blockers are commonly used to treat high blood pressure. They work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors, but they block a different protein called angiotensin II.
By blocking angiotensin II, blood vessels become wider, allowing more blood to flow. This lowers blood pressure and prevents heart attacks. Examples of ARBs are Azilsartan, Eprosartan, Candesartan, and Valsartan.
4. Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium channel blockers are a class of medications that relaxes blood vessels and blocks calcium from entering muscle cells. This helps the heart pump blood more easily. Examples of calcium channel blockers are Norvasc, Procardia, and Sular.
However, calcium channel blockers can have side effects. The most common side effect is ankle swelling. Nonetheless, calcium channel blockers are used widely in the treatment of hypertension in adults
3. Alpha-1 Blockers
Alpha-1 blockers are medications that relax blood vessels and reduce blood pressure by blocking nerve impulses. When the end of the nerves is stimulated, they release a chemical called noradrenaline, which acts on alpha-adrenergic receptors.
These receptors are located in various parts of the body, including the heart. The alpha-1 blockers relax the blood vessels, reducing the pressure on the heart. Examples of alpha-1 blockers are doxazosin, terazosin, and prazosin
2. Alpha-2 Receptor Agonists
Alpha 2 agonists are mainly used for the treatment of high blood pressure. They work by stimulating the alpha-2 adrenoceptor receptors in the central nervous system. These receptors are found on the cells of the sympathetic nervous system, which are responsible for raising the heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing rate.
By stimulating alpha-2 receptors, the sympathetic nervous system will be inhibited and the heart rate and blood pressure will decrease.
1. Vasodilators
Vasodilators are drugs that reduce the resistance of blood vessels. These drugs are typically used to treat cardiac conditions, such as hypertension. They are powerful medicines that dilate the blood vessels. They are often prescribed by healthcare providers when other treatments have failed.
Examples of direct vasodilation are Apresoline (hydralazine), Loniten® (minoxidil), and Nitrostat® (nitroglycerin).
These are high blood pressure treatments worth knowing about.