Alpha-blockers: Alpha blockers, also called alpha-adrenergic antagonists, relax certain muscles and help small blood vessels remain open, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down.
Beta-blockers: Beta blockers also referred as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-adrenergic antagonists, or beta antagonists, reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels, less blood is pumped through the vessels, causing the blood pressure to go down.
Alpha-beta-blockers: Alpha-beta-blockers work the same way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. Both result in lower blood pressure by relaxing the blood vessels and by pumping less blood through the vessels, lowering blood pressure.
Diuretics: Diuretics (sometimes called water pills) are drugs that elevates the rate of bodily urine excretion (diuresis).
Calcium channel blockers: Calcium Channel Blockers keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. Calcium Channel Blockers cause vascular smooth muscle relaxation, decrease systemic vascular resistance, and pressure goes down.
Nervous system inhibitors: Nervous system inhibitors relax nerve impulses to the blood vessels, they become wider and the blood pressure goes down.
Angiotensin antagonists: Angiotensin antagonists shield blood vessels from angiotensin II (which causes blood vessels to narrow). As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down.
ACE inhibitors: Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II. ACE inhibitors lower arteriolar resistance and increase venous capacitance; increase cardiac output and cardiac index, stroke work and volume, lower renovascular resistance, and lead to increased natriuresis (excretion of sodium in the urine).
Vasodilators: Vasodilators cause vasodilation. By relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, blood vessels in the body become wider causing the blood pressure to go down.
The combined effects of two or more drugs work better than one.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
About Blood Pressure
Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of arteries when the heart beats (systolic pressure) and when the heart is at rest (diastolic pressure). Blood Pressure is measured in millimeters of mercury (mm Hg).
When our systolic pressure is less or equal to 120 mmHg, and our diastolic pressure less or equal to 80 mmHg, then we have normal blood pressure. Measurements 120-139 mmHg (systolic) or 80-89 mmHg (diastolic) indicate a prehypertension category. Measurements beyond 140 mmHg (systolic) or 90 mmHg (diastolic) indicate high blood pressure.
According to the American Heart Association “High blood pressure is the No. 1 modifiable risk factor for stroke. It also contributes to heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure and atherosclerosis (fatty build-ups in arteries). In some cases, it can cause blindness.”
So it is important to keep your blood pressure under control (below 140/90 mmHg). If you experience problem with yours, there are two options: lifestyle changes and/or medications.
My experience indicates that simple lifestyle changes are effective. We are talking about changes like: healthy eating, reducing salt and sodium, helpful vitamin supplements, cholesterol control, fats in your diet, weight control, exercise, stress management and bad habits like smoking and not moderate alcohol consumption.
If lifestyle changes alone are not effective (in most cases they are), your next step should be to add medications (more about medications…next time).
When our systolic pressure is less or equal to 120 mmHg, and our diastolic pressure less or equal to 80 mmHg, then we have normal blood pressure. Measurements 120-139 mmHg (systolic) or 80-89 mmHg (diastolic) indicate a prehypertension category. Measurements beyond 140 mmHg (systolic) or 90 mmHg (diastolic) indicate high blood pressure.
According to the American Heart Association “High blood pressure is the No. 1 modifiable risk factor for stroke. It also contributes to heart attacks, heart failure, kidney failure and atherosclerosis (fatty build-ups in arteries). In some cases, it can cause blindness.”
So it is important to keep your blood pressure under control (below 140/90 mmHg). If you experience problem with yours, there are two options: lifestyle changes and/or medications.
My experience indicates that simple lifestyle changes are effective. We are talking about changes like: healthy eating, reducing salt and sodium, helpful vitamin supplements, cholesterol control, fats in your diet, weight control, exercise, stress management and bad habits like smoking and not moderate alcohol consumption.
If lifestyle changes alone are not effective (in most cases they are), your next step should be to add medications (more about medications…next time).
Friday, January 19, 2007
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