Blood Pressure Tablets
Blood pressure tablets are any kind of medicament used for the treatment of high blood pressure. Hypertension is a risk for the cardiovascular system as it may result in a stroke, heart attack, or even diabetes. High blood pressure damages heart and vessels because the heart has to beat harder to keep the body running. There are many risk factors, such as smoking, high cholesterol, alcohol consumption or being overweight which are proven to have a negative effect on heart health. To prevent this, blood pressure tablets can be prescribed by the doctor.
The various antihypertensives
There are many different blood pressure tablets for treating hypertension. There are four common drug groups for antihypertensive: diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, ACE inhibitors and AT₁-antagonists. Often, different blood pressure tablets are combined to treat the patient in the best possible and individual way. For example, beta blockers are not only prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure, but also for some heart diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, and the follow-up treatment of a heart attack. All blood pressure tablets work differently and have a different effect:
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Diuretics
The so-called water tablets promote the excretion of water in the kidneys, which results in a reduction in blood volume and thus a decrease in blood pressure.
● Hydrochlorothiazide (HCT)
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ACE inhibitors
These inhibitors affect the blood pressure-regulating hormones in the body. These blood pressure tablets reduce angiotensin II and enlarges the blood vessels.
● Ramipril
● Verapimil -
AT1 receptor antagonists
This blood pressure medication has an effect similar to the ACE inhibitors, except that it blocks the receptors of angiotensin II, thereby relieving the hormone's blood pressure-enhancing effects.
● Candesartan
● Telmisartan
● Losartan
● Irbesartan
● Vaslartan -
Beta blockers
Beta blockers inhibit the effects of stress hormones like adrenaline and norepinephrine, which lower the heart rate and blood pressure.
● Bisprolol
● Metropolol -
Calcium antagonists
This blood pressure medication inhibits calcium channels in the vascular musculature, causing less calcium to accumulate in the muscle cells and expanding blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.
● Amlodipin
● Nitrendipin
Find out more about blood pressure tablets in our overview. But keep in mind that taking blood pressure medication is not the solution: To stabilize his blood pressure sustainably and fight hypertension you should change your lifestyle through exercise and a healthy diet. The blood pressure app Cora will support you with that and remind you to take your medication regularly.
Changing blood pressure tablets
It is possible to change your blood pressure tablets if the medication does not achieve the desired effect or the patient is struggling with side effects. All blood pressure tablets have their own active ingredients which not every body can handle the same way.
Learn more about the different blood pressure tablets and their effects in our blood pressure guide:
Learn more about the commonly prescribed beta blocker Bisoprolol.
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