Can medication used to treat high blood pressure
There are a number of different medications that can lower blood pressure. We call such drugs are blood pressure-lowering drugs or antihypertensive agents.
Antihypertensive medications are one of the best-selling drug groups. Some of them, known as diuretics and beta-blockers (see below), has been used for years. Several other drugs have been marketed recently.
The purpose of using antihypertensive medications is to prevent adverse events that may be many years ahead. The risk of having a slightly elevated blood pressure is dependent on the individual. For some, the risk may be relatively large, for others small. On average, the risk of developing cardiovascular disease when you have high blood pressure, much higher than compared to a person with a normal blood pressure. No doubt for many people with high blood pressure, reduces the risk of these medicines include heart attack, stroke and premature death.
For most beginning with antihypertensive medications, this is a lifelong treatment. Many of the drugs are expensive, and side effects are not uncommon.
All these factors mean that the decision to start antihypertensive treatment is not simple. Especially when blood pressure is only slightly elevated (mild hypertension). If you have moderate or severe hypertension, it is always recommended with these medications. The same applies if you have multiple other risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as diabetes, obesity, a lot of heart diseases in your family, or you smoke.
Many patients can manage with one type of blood pressure medicine. Others require two or more to get enough power. Regular checks in terms of efficacy and side effects are important, especially in the beginning of treatment.
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