What Are Pills For Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is assessed using two parameters — the systolic and diastolic pressures — which measure, respectively, the maximum pressure exerted in the arteries as the heart contracts and the minimum pressure in those vessels between cardiac contractions. In adults, blood pressure is considered normal if the top number (systolic pressure) is between 90 and 120 and the bottom number (diastolic) is between 60 and 80.
Pills For Blood Pressure In South Africa?
There are different types of antihypertensive medications that are used to treat hypertension in the public sector in South Africa: hydrochlorothiazide – a thiazide diuretic; amlodipine – a calcium channel blocker (CCB), and enalapril – an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) are the most common first-line.
What Are The Types Of Blood Pressure Pills?
ACE inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels.
Common examples are enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, and ramipril.
The most common side effect is a persistent dry cough. Other possible side effects include headaches, dizziness, and a rash.
Angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs)
ARBs work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors. They’re often recommended if ACE inhibitors cause troublesome side effects.
Common examples are candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, valsartan and olmesartan.
Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, and cold or flu-like symptoms.
Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers reduce blood pressure by widening your blood vessels.
Common examples are amlodipine, felodipine, and nifedipine. Other medicines, such as diltiazem and verapamil, are also available.
Possible side effects include headaches, swollen ankles and constipation.
Drinking grapefruit juice while taking some calcium channel blockers can increase your risk of side effects.
Diuretics
Sometimes known as water pills, diuretics work by flushing excess water and salt from the body through your pee.
They’re often used if calcium channel blockers cause troublesome side effects, or if you have signs of heart failure.
Common examples are indapamide and bendroflumethiazide.
Possible side effects include dizziness when standing up, increased thirst, needing to go to the toilet frequently, and a rash.
You might also get low potassium and low sodium after long-term use. You’ll have regular blood tests to check for this.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers can reduce blood pressure by making your heart beat more slowly and with less force.
They used to be a popular treatment for high blood pressure, but now tend to be used only when other treatments have not worked.
This is because beta blockers are considered less effective than other blood pressure medicines.
Common examples are atenolol and bisoprolol.
Possible side effects include dizziness, headaches, tiredness, and cold hands and feet.
How Do Blood Pressure Pills Work?
Blood pressure medicines can work in several different ways. Blood pressure medicines can keep blood pressure at a healthy level by:
- Causing your body to get rid of water, which decreases the amount of water and salt in your body to a healthy level
- Relaxing your blood vessels
- Making your heart beat with less force
- Blocking nerve activity that can restrict your blood vessels