Hypertension Treatment

  • Hypertension
    Hypertension is the medical term for high blood pressure.  One in three adults worldwide, according to the 2012 WHO World Healh Statistics report, has raised blood pressure – a condition that causes around half of all deaths from stroke and heart disease.  In low and middle income countries, it often does not get diagnosed and treated.
Submitted by PatientsEngage on 14 February 2016

Many drugs are available for the treatment of high blood pressure. Your doctor may recommend some of the following medications for treating hypertension: 

Diuretics – These are called ‘water pills’ as they work on the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body.

Beta-blockers – These reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors – These prevent the formation of a hormone called angeotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow.

Angiotensin antagonists – This shields blood vessels from angiotensin II thereby making vessels wider and reducing the blood pressure.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) – This prevents calcium from entering into the heart muscle and blood vessel.

Alpha –blockers – This reduces the nerve impulses to blood vessels.

Alpha – beta blockers – This slows the heartbeat so that less blood is pumped through the vessel which, in turn, lowers the blood pressure.

Nervous system inhibitors – This relaxes blood vessels by controlling the nerve impulses.

Vasodialators – This directly opens the blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls.

Drugs such as angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), beta-blockers and diuretics are all considered acceptable therapies in patients with hypertension. Your doctor will recommend the therapy that suits your condition and works best for you.

Changed
31/Aug/2017
Community
Heart and Cardio-vascular
Condition
Hypertension

Stories

  • Stock pic about hypertension
    Diagnosis and Tests for Hypertension
    What tests do you need to have done for Hypertension ? Your doctor may recommend some of the following tests for a proper diagnosis of High Blood Pressure and its severity. General tests Physical examination Your doctor will ask for your family history of high blood pressure and other conditions, check your blood pressure and look at your blood reports. Blood tests include blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine, which may be elevated if there is underlying kidney disease. Blood urea…
  • Types of Hypertension and Complications
    Major types of hypertension (high blood pressure) Primary hypertension, also known as essential hypertension, is the most common type of hypertension. For this type of hypertension, there is no single identifiable cause. There is no apparent underlying disease, condition or disorder causing the high blood pressure. Instead, hypertension occurs because of genes, diet and lifestyle. Secondary hypertension is a less common form of the disease that occurs because of a specific condition. Disorders…
  • Hypertension Symptoms and Signs
    Extremely high blood pressure may bring on the following symptoms Severe headache Fatigue or confusion Vision problems Chest pain Difficulty breathing Irregular heartbeat Blood in the urine Pounding in your chest, neck, or ears Untreated hypertension can lead to serious diseases, including stroke, heart disease,kidney failure and eye problems. See section on Complications.
  • Hypertension Causes and Risk Factors
    Hypertension or high blood pressure may be caused by any of the following reasons: Narrowing of the arteries A greater than normal volume of blood The heart beating faster or more forcefully than it should Any of these conditions will cause increased pressure against the artery walls. High blood pressure may also be caused by some other underlying medical problem.  Are you at risk of developing high blood pressure?  Risk factors for high blood pressure include:  Age and gender…
  • Aqua therapy - a fitness solution beyond joint pains
    Struggling with joint aches and pains and not able to exercise. Is Aqua Therapy an option for you? PatientsEngage speaks to Mumbai-based Deepali Jain, a certified aqua specialist and fitness expert and Sucheta Talwar who conquered fear of water and severe arthritis with aqua therapy.  What is Aqua Therapy? Aqua Therapy is a specialized form of water-based exercises and work outs for relaxation, fitness, health benefits and rehabilitation. It refers to the use of water for…
  • Manage High Blood Pressure With Our 10 Clear Tips
    Managing high blood pressure is an important aspect of health management since it can lead to many issues - kidney disease, heart disease, cardiovascular disease, etc. We address questions on - What to eat? How much salt is ok? Is it ok to drink? What does Vitamin D have to do with it? And more. 1. What is considered high blood pressure? A reading of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. A blood pressure reading of 140/90 mmHg or higher is considered high blood pressure. If your blood…
  • Gong Xi Gong Xi...
    Enjoy the Lunar New Year festivities without compromising your health. By Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju. It’s that time of the year again, the most significant few days in the Chinese calendar – the Lunar New Year. It’s a time to get together with friends and family and eat, drink and be merry... in a health-conscious way.  First up, the Reunion Dinner on New Year’s Eve, when families gather around a sumptuous meal. A part of the meal is Lo Hei, when everyone gathers…
  • 9 reasons to get off that couch NOW
    Think you know all the reasons? Prepare to be surprised. By family practitioner and marathoner Dr Gita Mathai. Plus, how much to exercise to get its real benefits. We all want to look good, be slim and healthy. There’s one magic pill for this and it’s called exercise. Even if you’re ‘too tired’ or ‘too busy’, you need to get off that couch now.  Benefits of regular exercise Exercise helps to achieve ideal body weight if also combined with calorie restriction.…
  • Yoga comparable with walking, biking to improve cardiovascular risk
    Yoga has roots as an ancient mind-body practice that incorporates physical, mental and spiritual elements. Originating in India, yoga has been proven effective in numerous studies to improve cardiovascular risk factors, with a reduction in the risk of heart attacks and strokes. When compared with no exercise, yoga was associated with significant improvement in each of the primary outcome risk factors measured: Body mass index (BMI) reduced by 0.77 kg/m2 (measured as a "mean…
  • A woman holding up the pregnancy test kit
    Pre-conception Care For A Healthy Pregnancy
    Planning a pregnancy? Obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Chandan Dubey tells you what you need to do before you conceive. A woman’s good health prior to and during pregnancy is vital for optimal outcomes for her and the baby. You should consult a general physician or gynaecologist for preconception care and counselling. In the meantime, here’s what you should be aware of:  Lose weight (if you are overweight): Obesity is a serious problem in pregnancy. It increases the…