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Understanding Your High Blood Pressure MedicationsTranslationTranslate  
Blood pressure is a necessary part of the body's survival; we often think of it as a bad thing because so many have problems with high blood pressure. However, your blood pressure is simply a measurement of the movement of your blood through your system. When your heart beats, it pumps and then rests, pumps, and then rests, and continues this cycle for as long as you live. Your blood pressure reading is in two numbers and is expressed as "120 over 80," or whatever your reading is. The first number is when your heart pumps, the second is when it rests in between pumps. High blood pressure is when it pumps too hard or when the blood is continuing to be pushed too hard in between those pumps. There are many causes of high blood pressure, from genetic predisposition to obesity to poor diet, and many other reasons. Some cases are not bad enough to warrant anything more than some suggestions from your doctor about lifestyle and diet choices, while other cases of high blood pressure are so dangerous that you need to be on medication to regulate it. If this is true in your case, here is some simple information to help you better understand commonly prescribed medications: Diuretics You may have heard of these types of medications for high blood pressure actually being abused by those who want to lose weight. They work by causing the body to lose excess water. Since blood is made mostly of water, when you have less water in your system you have less volume of blood moving through you. This lowers your blood pressure. Diuretics are often prescribed with other high blood pressure medications, not simply on their own. Beta Blockers If you've been prescribed beta blockers for your high blood pressure, you need to make sure you are taking the prescribed dose exactly as directed, and do not take any other medications unless you are sure there will be no drug interaction. Beta blockers cause your heart to beat slower than normally, which in turns slows or lowers your blood pressure. Obviously any medication that affects your heart rate needs to be taken as prescribed. ACE Inhibitors, ARB Receptor Blockers, and Calcium Channel Blockers ACE stands for "angiotensin-converting enzyme," and ARB stands for "angiotensin receptor blockers," so let's just use ACE and ARB. ACE inhibitors and ARB blockers stop a certain enzyme in the body that is needed to cause blood vessels to constrict; if the blood vessels are constricted, you're likely to have high blood pressure as the body needs to work harder to push the blood through those smaller openings. Calcium channel blockers do much the same thing. There are other medicines that you may be prescribed instead of or in addition to these medicines for your high blood pressure, and if you have any question about their dosage, schedule, interaction, side effects, or anything else, do not hesitate to talk to your doctor. Always consult your doctor before using this information. This Article is nutritional in nature and is not to be construed as medical advice. A04 Cause Of Heart Disease A05 Congenital Heart Disease A07 Coronary Heart Disease A06 Congestive Heart Diseaset A08 Women And Heart Disease A09 Cure For Heart Disease A11 Heart Valve Disease A10 Heart Disease In Women Is The Number One Killert A12 Prevent Heart Disease A13 Ischemic Heart Disease A15 Rheumatic Heart Disease A14 Heart Valve Disease Description A17 Heart Disease Prevention A16 Heart Disease Can Be Controlled A18 Reversing Heart Disease A19 Signs Of Heart Disease A20 Types Of Heart Disease A21 Diseases Caused By High Blood Pressure A22 Side Effects Of Blood Pressure Mediations A23 The Relationship Between Heart Disease And Kidney Diseas A24 Obesity And Heart Disease Are Related A25 Understanding Your Blood Pressure Medication A26 Is There A Safe Use For Diuretics A28 Understanding Low Blood Pressure Medications A29 The Effects Of Sodium And Blood Pressure A30 Aspirin For Prevention Of A Heart Attack A31 Change Your Eating Habits For A Health Heart A32 Hypertension Also Known As The Silent Killer A33 If You Have High Blood Pressure Lower Your Cholesterol |
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