THE TREATMENT OF

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Moduretic

Aldactazide

Dyazide, Maxzide

Beta blockers

Sectral

Tenormin

Kerlone

Zebeta

Cartrol

Lopressor

Toprol-XL

Corgard

Levatol

Visken

Inderal

Blocadren

ACE inhibitors

Lotensin

Capoten

Vasotec

Monopril

Prinivel, Zestril

Univasc

Accupril

Altace

Mavik

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

Atacand

Avapro

Cozaar

Diovan

   

Many people have high blood pressure for years without knowing it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. According to recent estimates, one in four U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't even know they have it. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer."

Get the facts on high blood pressure and how to live a more heart-healthy life. Find out how you can reduce your risks for heart attack and stroke with proper monitoring by a physician and simple lifestyle changes, even if you have high blood pressure.

 

   

 

TREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE

Many medications, known as antihypertensives, are available to lower high blood pressure. Some, called diuretics, rid the body of excess fluids and salt (sodium). Others, called beta blockers, reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood. Another class of antihypertensives is called sympathetic nerve inhibitors. Sympathetic nerves go from the brain to all parts of the body, including the arteries. They can cause the arteries to constrict, raising blood pressure. This class of drugs reduces blood pressure by inhibiting these nerves from constricting blood vessels.

Yet another group of drugs is the vasodilators. These can cause the muscle in the walls of the blood vessels (especially the arterioles) to relax, allowing the vessel to dilate (widen).Other classes of drugs used to treat high blood pressure are the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers and the calcium antagonists (calcium channel blockers). The ACE inhibitors interfere with the body's production of angiotensin, a chemical that causes the arteries to constrict, and the angistensin II receptor blockers block the effects of angiotensin. The calcium antagonists can reduce the heart rate and relax blood vessels.

FIVE MAJOR CLASSES OF MEDICATIONS

DIURETICS

BETA BLOCKERS

ACE INHIBITORS

ALPHA AGONISTS

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS

REPRESENTATIVES

OF DIURETICS

LASIX (Furosemide)

HCTZ (Hydrochlorothiazide)

Chemical Structures of Lasix and HCTZ

How Lasix Works?Lasix, sometimes called a “water pill” is considered a loop diuretic, and is stronger than the thiazide diuretics, but works in a a similar fashion. They affect parts of the kidneys, including the “loop of Henle.” They help lower blood pressure by inhibiting the primary reabsorption of sodium and chlorine not only in the proximal and distal tubules, but also in the “loop of Henle.” This causes fluids to be excreted from the body, which in turn plays a role in lowering blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects of Lasix

• Hypokalemia

• Dry Mouth

• Excessive thirst

• Weakness

• Drowsiness

• Restlessness

• Muscle pain or cramps

• Low blood pressure

• Upset stomach

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Alter sugar metabolism

• Decreased frequency of urination or urine volume

• Abnormal heart rate

How HCTZ Works?

Hydrochlorothiazide is another type of “water pill.” It too affects the kidneys. HCTZ affects the distal renal tubular mechanism of electrolyte reabsorption. It increases excretion of sodium and chloride from the body in equivalent amounts. This drug eliminates fluids from the body which lowers blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects of HCTZ

Fluid or Electrolyte Imbalance

Hypokalemia

Dryness of mouth

Thirst

Weakness

Drowsiness

Restlessness

Seizures

Muscle pains

Cramps

Irregular Heartbeat

Nausea

Vomiting

Confusion

Other Benefits of Diuretics

LASIX

Used to treat Edema

Congestive Heart Failure

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Renal disease

Nephrotic Syndrome

HCTZ

Used to treat Edema

Congestive Heart Failure

Hepatic Cirrhosis

Corticosteroid Therapy

Estrogen Therapy

Nephrotic Syndrome

Chronic Renal Failure

Representatives ofBeta Blockers

Zebeta (Bisoprolol Fumarate)

Tenormin (Atenolol)

Chemical Structures of Beta Blockers

How Zebeta Works?Zebeta is a Beta-selective (cardioselective) adrenoceptor blocking agent and its main effect is the negative chronotropic effect. It results in a reduction of resting and exercise heart rate. There is a fall in resting and exercise cardiac output with little observed change in stroke volume, and only a small increase in right atrial pressure or pulmonary capillary pressure at rest or during exercise.

Possible Side Effects of Zebeta

• Impotence• Unusual tiredness• Weakness• Slow Heartbeat• Heart Failure• Dizziness• Breathing Difficulties• Hair loss

• Bronciospasm• Confusion• Anxiety• Constipation• Nausea• Vomiting• Urinary Difficulties• Blurred Vision

How Tenormin Works?

Tenormin is a Beta-selective (cardioselective) beta receptor blocking agent that reduces resting and exercise heart rate and cardiac output. It also reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure at rest and on exercise, and also inhibits rapid heart rate. All of these effects help to lower blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects of Tenormin

• Impotence• Unusual Tiredness• Slow Heartbeat• Heart Failure• Swelling of Legs,

Ankles, and Feet• Dizziness• Breathing Difficulties

Weakness

• Bronchiospasm• Confusion• Anxiety• Memory Loss• Cold Hands and Feet• Constipation• Nausea• Vomiting• Blurred Vision

Other Benefits of Beta-Blockers

Zebeta

Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Treats Angina Pectoris

Prevention of 2nd Heart Attack

Migraines

Aids in Alcohol Withdrawal

Tenormin

Abnormal Heart Rhythms

Treats Angina Pectoris

Representatives of ACE Inhibitors

Vasotec (Enalapril Maleate)

Zestril (Lisinopril)

Chemical Structuresof ACE Inhibitors

How Vasotec Works?Vasotec (Enalapril Maleate) after hydrolysis inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme in humans. It has beneficial results with lowering blood pressure by primarily suppressing the renin-anigiotensin-aldosterone system. Inhibition of ACE results in decreased plasma angiotensin II, which leads to decreased vasopressor activity, which in turn leads to a decreased blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects of Vasotec

o Dizziness

o Fatigue

o Headache

o Nausea

o Chronic Cough

o Chest tightness

o Abdominal pain

o Diarrhea

o Bronchitis

o Urinary Tract Infection

o Weakness

o Rash

How Zestril Works?

Zestril and other ACE inhibitors work by preventing the conversion of a hormone called angiotensin I to another hormone called angiotensin II, a potent blood-vessel constrictor. Preventing this conversion relaxes blood vessels, thus reducing blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects of Zestril

• Headache • Dizziness• Fatigue• Nausea• Diarrhea• Chronic cough• Chest pain• Low blood pressure

• Vomiting• Upset stomach• Breathing difficulties• Rash• Muscle weakness

Other Benefits ofACE Inhibitors

Vasotec Zestril

Congestive Heart Failure

Kidney protection (diabetes)

Post- Heart Attack Victims

Heart Failure

Diabetic kidney disease

Heart Attack treatment when left ventricle has been affected.

Representative of Alpha Agonists

Catapres (Clonidine)

Chemical Structure ofAlpha Agonists

How Catapres Works?

Catapres stimulates the alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain stem. This action results in reduces sympathetic outflow from the central nervous system and in decreases in peripheral resistance, renal vascular resistance, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Possible Side Effects of Catapres

• Dry Mouth• Drowsiness• Dizziness• Constipation• Sedation• Headache• Fatigue• Appetite loss

• Swelling/pain in throat glands

• Nausea• Weight gain• Vomiting• Blood-sugar elevation• Breast pain• Rapid heartbeat

Other Benefits of Alpha Agonists

Used for excess sweating Childhood growth delayAttention-Deficit

Hyperactivity DisorderTourette’s Syndrome Restless leg syndromeSchizophrenic psychosisMigration

Ulcerative colitus Difficult menstruation Kidney poisoning Smoking cessation Withdrawal from

alcohol Nerve pain

Representatives of CalciumChannel Blockers

Cardizem (diltiazem hydrochloride)

Procardia (nifedipine)

Chemical Structures ofCalcium Channel Blockers

How Cardizem Works?

Cardizem works to lower blood pressure by its ability to inhibit the influx of calcium ions during membrane depolarization of cardiac and vascular smooth muscle.

Possible Side Effects of Cardizem

• Dizziness• Light-headedness• Weakness• Headache• Fluid in the hands,

legs, or feet• Low blood pressure• Fainting

• Abnormal heart rate• Abnormal heart

rhythm• Heart Failure• Nervousness• Fatigue• Nausea• Rash

How Procardia Works?

Procardia is a calcium ion influx inhibitor (slow channel blocker or calcium ion antagonist) which inhibits the transmembrane influx or calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. The contractile processes of vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific channels. This mechanism reduces arterial pressure.

Possible Side Effects of Procardia

Swelling of the ankles, feet and legs

Dizziness Light-headedness Flushing Nausea Headache Weakness

Shakiness Jitteriness Muscle cramps Inflammation Nervousness Mood changes Heart failure Wheezing

Other Benefits of Calcium Channel Blockers

Cardizem Angina Pectoris Raynaud’s disease Prevention of second

heart attacks Tardive Dyskinesia

Procardia Angina Pectoris Prinzmetal’s Angina Migraine Asthma Raynaud’s Disease Gaulbladder and

kidney stone attacks

The End!The End!