Object and purpose of high blood pressure medications is to lower blood pressure. Different groups of active ingredients are used, can be combined with each other.
A high blood pressure (hypertension) is the case when an increase in systolic pressure above 140 mmHg or diastolic pressure is more than 90 mmHg. This may lead to symptoms such as dizziness, memory disturbances , dizziness , tinnitus, insomnia , blurred vision , headaches and nervousness occur. With the help of high blood pressure medications can be of too high blood pressure lowered again. A total of five drug groups are used, as recommended by the high blood pressure league. These include:
ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors have the effect to block the body's protein ACE. This protein is responsible for the production of the hormone angiotensin II (Ang II), which in turn narrows the blood vessels and thereby blood pressure is holding. By ACE inhibitors, the angiotensin II concentration to be reduced in the organism, which remain permanently enlarged blood vessels, leading to a lowering of blood pressure.
AT1 antagonist
AT1 antagonists are usually used in applications where the patient is not well tolerate ACE inhibitors. Their effect is a blockage of the binding sites of the hormone angiotensin II in the blood vessels. Thereby preventing the hormone's effect on the angiotensin-1 receptor. In this way, the blood vessels permanently extended, resulting in a reduction in blood pressure occurs. A major advantage of the AT1 antagonists is their good tolerability.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers are used to stimulate the beta receptors in the blood vessels and the heart block. As a result, Blutdruckerhöhende hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline bind not as strong in the beta-receptors. Thus, the heart rate is slowed, causing a lowering of blood pressure.
Diuretics
Diuretics are among the oldest high blood pressure medicines. These water pills cause increased excretion of sodium and water via the kidneys . This also takes the amount of fluid into the blood vessels, lowering blood pressure with the result. Divided diuretics, thiazides, potassium-sparing diuretics and loop diuretics, which act in each case on a different part of the kidney.
Calcium antagonists
Calcium antagonists are used to reduce the intake of calcium in the muscle of blood vessels. By calcium to stretch the muscle cells of the vessels, resulting in a narrowing of the vessels and thus a rise in blood pressure with the result. Since the calcium antagonists inhibit the effect of calcium to the blood vessels to relax again, reducing blood pressure decreases.
In addition, there are a few other high blood pressure seconds as alpha-blockers, hydralazine, renin inhibitors, minoxidil, reserpine, clonidine and methyldopa, but substantial risks and side effects have or still new on the market. They serve mainly as reserve drugs and are only used when other therapies are unsuccessful.
What drugs are used for treatment ultimately depends on possible additional conditions of the patient and because of the possibility of harmful interactions with other drugs exists. Beta-blockers should not as of asthmatics are taken.
