High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is characterized by a high force of blood in vessels known as arteries in the body, resulting in an elevated risk for a number of other health conditions. With Patricia (Nurse Pattye) Anderson, FNP bc, people with high blood pressure or in need of hypertension medication can get a prescription for high blood pressure medications from a medical provider if it is safe and appropriate to do so.

What Causes High Blood Pressure?

What causes high blood pressure, also known as hypertension? Risk factors for hypertension include advanced age, ethnicity, tobacco use, alcohol intake and sex. Family history and stress can sometimes lead to high blood pressure as can a high sodium diet. Certain types of medications can also cause one’s blood pressure to go up. Some episodes of blood pressure have no identifiable reason at all. These cases of high blood pressure are sometimes referred to as essential hypertension, primary hypertension or idiopathic hypertension.

High Blood Pressure – Signs / Symptoms

High blood pressure (hypertension) symptoms can vary from person to person. Many people with hypertension are asymptomatic, meaning they have no symptoms at all. Severe cases of high blood pressure (sometimes referred to malignant hypertension) can cause major symptoms such as an altered mental state, chest pain, shortness of breath, nervous system disorders and even death. People can sometimes also have moderate symptoms from high blood pressure, including visual changes, fatigue, palpitations, and changes in their urine.

High Blood Pressure – Medications

High blood pressure medications exist to help people with hypertension get their blood pressure to a more acceptable level. Medications for hypertension are designed with different purposes in mind. Some high blood pressure medications cause the blood vessels to relax while other blood pressure medications cause fluid to be excreted from the body, lowering the pressure in the blood vessels. Examples of medications that might be used to manage high blood pressure are as follows:

Amlodipine

Atenolol

Benazepril

Benicar

Bystolic

Candesartan

Captopril

Carvedilol

Chlorthalidone

Diltiazem

Doxazosin

Dyazide

Enalapril

Exforge

Furosemide (Lasix)

Hydralazine

Hydrochlorothiazide

Indapamide

Irbesartan

Labetalol

Lisinopril

Losartan

Metoprolol (Lopressor)

Propranolol (Inderal)

Quinapril

Ramipril

Spironolactone (Aldactone)

Telmisartan

Valsartan

Verapamil

Zestoretic

All hypertension medications should be used under the guidance of a licensed medical provider to make sure that they are being used appropriately.

How To Lower High Blood Pressure

In addition to taking medications for hypertension under the guidance of a medical provider, what are other ways to lower high blood pressure? A number of lifestyle changes can be helpful in lowering high blood pressure and reducing future health risks. Some recommended lifestyle changes to improve hypertension include, but are not limited to, losing weight, decreasing sodium intake, getting regular exercise, reducing alcohol intake, and meditating daily.

High Blood Pressure Medications – Side Effects

Medications used for hypertension can cause side effects. Mild side effects of high blood pressure medications include stomach upset, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting and headache. As one might expect, all medications that are used for high blood pressure can cause low blood pressure if used in too large of a dose. All blood pressure medications can also result in a hypersensitivity or allergic reaction when used and should be avoided when this occurs. Questions and concerns about blood pressure medications should be directed to a medical provider or pharmacist prior to use.

High Blood Pressure Medications – Online

One cannot simply buy high blood pressure medications online as medications for hypertension require a prescription from a licensed medical provider in the United States. Patricia (Nurse Pattye) Anderson, FNP bc can connect people who might be in need of a hypertension prescription medication with medical providers who can prescribe medications if it is safe and appropriate to do so.