About High Blood Pressure
According to the American Heart Association there is no known cause for high blood pressure in 90 to 95 percent of the cases. If you are in the category of this top percentage your condition is called essential (or primary) hypertension. When vessels are narrowed, blood has a harder time flowing through them, causing hypertension. There are several different classifications of blood pressure medication that your health care provider may prescribe for your condition. All of them are meant to work at getting the blood to flow more easily through the vessels which lowers blood pressure.
Diuretics
Hydrochlorothiazide or Furosemide are names of common diuretics given to hypertension sufferers. It causes your body to produce additional urine in which it can relieve itself of excess salt and water. In turn your body decreases its volume of blood, lowering blood pressure.
ACE Inhibitors
Enalapril, Lisinopril and Ramipril are common names of ACE inhibitors. This type of medication blocks substances that tighten blood vessels. The blood then flows more easily and blood pressure lowers.
Beta-blockers
Atenolol, Metropolis and Propranolol are common names of beta-blocker medications. They work to slow the heartbeat down while they also reduce the strength of the beats. By lowering the force of the blood pumping through the vessels, the blood pressure is lowered.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Candesartan, Losartan and Valsartan are common names of Angiogenesis II receptor blockers. They work similarly to ACE inhibitors. Where ACE inhibitors block the bodies substance that tightens blood vessels, Angiotensin II receptor blockers just stop the substance from affecting the blood vessels. The vessels are relaxed and blood pressure is lowered.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Diltiazem, Nifedipine and Verapamil are common names of calcium channel blockers. The blockers relax the muscles surrounding blood vessels making it easier for the blood to flow and thus lowering blood pressure.
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