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A low-fat, high-fiber diet without salt or sugar, combined with regular daily exercise, may be as powerful as some medications in lowering your high blood pressure, but you should always consult with your doctor about what’s best for you.
We are not against any kind of medication; rather, we look at health through holistic eyes. Sometimes, a combination of diet, exercise and medication can be the right fix you need to lower your blood pressure. There are not many doctors who would disagree with that statement. Whatever you do, diet and exercise play a key role in determining good health, so make sure to keep those factors in mind.
Here’s a simple overview of blood pressure medicines for your review. The choice of medications depends on many factors including age, weight, current health, side-effects, past medical history and your doctor’s plan. Like all medications, the effectiveness of a particular medicine varies from person to person.
If you have pre-hypertension or blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89, doctors usually prescribe diuretics or water pills.
| Diuretics |
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Diuretics flush excess water and sodium out of your body through urination by stimulating your kidneys. This process lowers blood pressure, but also might decrease the potassium in your body. There are three types of diuretics with varying degrees of side-effects. Popular brand names include Midamor, Bumex, Diuril, Hygroton, Lasix, Esidrix, Lozol and Aldactone |
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If you have Stage 1 high blood pressure – between 140/90 and 159/99 – doctors may also prescribe – in conjunction with diuretics – additional medication including:
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| Beta blockers |
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Beta blockers decrease your heart rate and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure. Side-effects can include insomnia, cold body parts, depression, being tired. Popular brand names include Sectral, Tenormin, Kerlone, Ziac, Zebeta, Cartrol, Lopressor, Corgard, Inderal, Betapace and Blocadren |
| Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors |
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These medications lower your cholesterol by binding to bile acids. This motivates your liver to use its excess cholesterol to make more bile acids, therefore taking more cholesterol out of your blood. Side-effects can include constipation, nausea, bloating and an increase in triglyceride levels. Brand names include Questran, Welcho and Colestid |
| Anigiotensin 2 Receptor Antagonists or Blockers |
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These drugs help reduce your blood cholesterol by limiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol. They decrease bad cholesterol and triglycerides, while slightly increasing your good cholesterol. Side-effects can include stomach pain, fatigue and body soreness. Brand names include Zetia |
| Calcium Channel Blockers |
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These medications decrease both absorption of dietary cholesterol and the production of cholesterol. Side-effects can include constipation, nausea, stomach and abdominal pain. Popular brand names include Vytorin |
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If you have Stage 2 high blood pressure – anything higher than 160/100 – you will probably need to take a combination of medicines.
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| melsQuiz answer |
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| melsBuzz |
- Consult a doctor and ask a lot of questions.
- High blood pressure medicine can be good
for you, along with a balanced diet and exercise.
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| melsAdvice |
- If you are going to add vitamins and supplements along with your medication, try the recommended daily amounts of vitamins, A, C, E and B-complex, along with magnesium, calcium, zinc and selenium
- Eat more soy foods and less meat
- Be very careful and aware of the kinds of drugs you take. Know your body. Some of your existing medications may be causing a side-effect of raising your blood pressure. You don’t necessarily want to take another medicine to combat the side-effects of a medicine you are already taking
- Go to your doctor and have a complete physical before taking any medication
- Before taking any medications, try changing your lifestyle first. If that doesn’t work, then you can add medication
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| DidYouKnow? |
- Most doctors will recommend high blood pressure medication if you have a history of smoking, are a diabetic, or have a family history of heart disease.
- In 2005, people spent more than $17 billion for blood pressure medicines
- ACE inhibitors are usually the third most frequently prescribed class of drugs in the U.S. annually
- Diuretics are not available in most countries because according to the World Health Organization, diuretics cost pennies a day and bring in minimal profit, so drugmakers have little economic interest in promoting them
- According to the American Heart Association, people with lower education and income levels also tend to have higher levels of blood pressure
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| melsTips |
- When it comes to your health, always consult your doctor
- Eat whole foods
- If you are taking high blood pressure medicine, drink alcohol only in moderation, if at all (consult your doctor first)
- If you are going to take medication, definitely change your lifestyle
- If you are going to take medication, follow the directions very carefully
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| melsQuiz |
- More people visit doctors for hypertension than for any condition other than?
- True or False? Nearly half the world’s population is now classified as hypertensive, including three-quarters of the elderly population.
- Approximately how many Americans take less medication than is prescribed on the label?
- Approximately how many Americans fail to take any or all of their prescription medicines?
- True or False? Because of the side-effects and adverse reactions to some cholesterol-lowering medications, the FDA recommends prescribing these drugs only when a person’s cholesterol levels are significantly elevated and have other health risks leading to heart disease, including high blood pressure.
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| melsQuiz Answers |
- Common cold
- True
- According to the American Heart Association, 22%
- According to the American Heart Association, two-thirds of all Americans
- True
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