High Blood Pressure

Often called the “silent killer” because it can go undetected for years, high blood pressure afflicts 1 in 3 adults in the United States. Blood pressure is the force exerted by your blood on the artery walls. If it is consistently too high, it can lead to coronary heart disease, aneurysms, stroke, heart failure, kidney failure and other health problems.

Symptoms can include: Though there often are no discernable symptoms, but some people with high blood pressure experience headaches, dizziness, blurred vision and nausea. The only true way to diagnose high blood pressure is through a blood pressure test.

Medical Management

High blood pressure is managed through the use of antihypertensive drugs, which help reduce blood pressure to normal levels. Depending on your medical situation, your doctor may recommend one of the following medications. Each serves a different role in reducing your blood pressure.

ACE inhibitors: These drugs keep your body from making angiotensin II, which is a chemical that constricts your blood vessels.

Alpha-blockers. These medications act on your blood vessels and help them stay open.

Beta-blockers: Beta-blockers help reduce or eliminate the effects of adrenaline.

Calcium channel blockers: This medication prevents your blood vessels from constricting by preventing calcium from entering your cells.

Diuretics: These drugs help you get rid of the extra fluid and sodium in your body so you don’t have as much fluid in your blood.

Some of these medications are used in combination with one another, such as an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker.