Side effects of high blood pressure and What medications are used to treat high blood pressure?

Some of the drugs listed below can affect certain functions of the body, resulting in bad side effects. However, drugs that lower blood pressure have proven effective over the years. The benefits of using them far outweigh the risk of side effects. Most people who’ve taken these drugs haven’t had any problems. Heart attack or stroke. ... Aneurysm. ... Heart failure. ... Weakened and narrowed blood vessels in your kidneys. ... Thickened, narrowed or torn blood vessels in the eyes. ... Metabolic syndrome. ... Trouble with memory or understanding. ... Dementia. Blood pressure is mostly a silent disease Unfortunately, high blood pressure can happen without feeling any abnormal symptoms. Moderate or severe headaches, anxiety, shortness of breath, nosebleeds, palpitations, or feeling of pulsations in the neck are some signs of high blood pressure.Losing excess weight. Quitting smoking. Reducing alcohol and caffeine intake. Prioritizing sleep. Avoiding stressful situations, if possible. Eating less sodium, sugar, refined carbohydrates and processed foods. Regularly engaging in low-impact exercise (about 30 minutes every day).Excessive daytime sleepiness or tiredness is a symptom sometimes associated with high blood pressure, and it has been shown to be a potential warning sign for cardiac events. 2 High blood pressure may also be linked to tiredness in other ways, such as sleep disturbances.What causes high blood pressure? High blood pressure usually develops over time. It can happen because of unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as not getting enough regular physical activity. Certain health conditions, such as diabetes and having obesity, can also increase the risk for developing high blood pressure.What medications are used to treat high blood pressure? Four classes of high blood pressure medications are considered “first line” (most effective and commonly prescribed) when starting treatment. Sometimes other medications are coupled with these first-line drugs to better control your high blood pressure. First-line, pressure-lowering medications are: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors block the production of the angiotensin II hormone, which the body naturally uses to control blood pressure. When angiotensin II is blocked, your blood vessels don’t narrow. Examples: lisinopril (Zestril® or Prinivil®), enalapril or captopril. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) block this same hormone from binding with receptors in the blood vessels. ARBs work the same way as ACE inhibitors to keep blood vessels from narrowing. Examples: metoprolol (Lopressor®; Toprol® XL), valsartan (Diovan® or Prexxartan®) or losartan. Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of your heart and blood vessels, allowing these vessels to relax. Examples: amlodipine (Norvasc® or Katerzia®), nifedipine (Procardia®XL or Nifedical®XL), diltiazem (Cardizem®, Dilacor® XR or Tiazac®). Diuretics (water or fluid pills) flush excess sodium from your body, reducing the amount of fluid in your blood. Diuretics are often used with other high blood pressure medicines, sometimes in one combined pill. Examples: indapamide, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide® or Oretic®) or chlorothiazide. Talk to your healthcare provider about what side effects and problems are possible when you take your blood pressure medicine. You should avoid some medications during pregnancy. If you get side effects that concern you, call your provider. They may change your dose or try a different medication. Don’t stop taking the medicine on your own.