The reason taking of taking blood pressure reducing medications is to reduce the blood pressure to a level as low as can be tolerated.
Any hydraulic system will last longer, and be less likely to spring a leak, if it is run at a lower pressure.
Therefore purpose of taking blood pressure lowering drug it is hoping that:
*Decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease (heart attack and stroke, which can raise blood pressure.
*Decrease any risk of coexisting cardiovascular risk factor such as raised cholesterol, diabetes, left ventricular hypertrophy and other conditions that raise the risk of having a cardiovascular problem.
*Improve quality of life and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
Some classes of blood pressure lowering drugs:
-ACE inhibitors
-Alpha blocking agents
-Angiotensin receptor blockers
-Beta blockers
-Calcium-channel blockers
-Centrally acting agents
-Diuretics
-Vasodilators
The risk factors, treatment preferences and social circumstances can be taken into account to match the drugs to ‘risk profile’.
Depending on the risk, BP lowering drugs can be chosen to reduce blood pressure and minimize side effects – so called ‘tailoring’ of blood pressure lowering medication.
In one clinical trial performed on people 60 to 80 years old with well controlled blood pressure, who had been taking a high blood pressure lowering drug for years, found that keeping salt intake to 1,800 milligrams per day or less and losing a moderate amount of weight were responsible for further significant decreases in blood pressure while continuing drug treatment.
The full benefit to be gained from any BP lowering medication will take about 4 weeks to achieve. If after 4 weeks BP control is still suboptimal, the dose of the medication should be titrated up. After this, it is reasonable either to change to an alternative treatment.
Consuming a diet rich in plant foods is one of the best way to reduce blood pressure. There are a few reasons for this. First, plant foods are generally richer in blood pressure lowering potassium than animal products. Second, they are not loaded with sodium, as many packaged foods are.
Blood Pressure Lowering Drug
