07/26/2025
Have you ever heard about a silent killer that may be affecting your health for a long time from inside, and you may not even be aware of it? This silent killer is also known as high blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension. Does this ring a bell in your mind? Approximately 1.28 billion adults around the globe, aged between 30 and 79 years, have hypertension, and almost two-thirds of them belong to low or middle-income countries. The worst part is that about 46% of the adults with hypertension are completely unaware that they have this condition.
Hypertension is when the force of blood in your blood vessels is too high. It is commonly referred to as high blood pressure. Recent research advancements are helping us find new ways to treat this common condition. In this blog, we will discuss prescription medications and actions we can take to manage hypertension.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a common condition in which the blood pushed through your arteries exerts too much force on your blood vessels. It means that if you are suffering from high blood pressure, the pressure of the blood pressing against the artery walls is so elevated that it makes it more difficult for the heart to pump blood. The pumping of blood under pressure in our circulatory system is similar to water flowing through pipes in our house. If the pressure in the pipe increases, the risk of damage to the pipes and faucets also rises. Similarly, the increased blood pressure can cause so much damage that it could be life-threatening. T factors can contribute to high blood pressure. Most notably, your diet plan plays an important role in it. Excessive consumption of salt, alcohol, and inadequate potassium intake can contribute to elevated blood pressure levels. Additionally, taking too much stress and too little physical activity can lead to being overweight, which is dangerous for high blood pressure.
According to the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology, hypertension, or high blood pressure, is categorized into four categories based on blood pressure readings. Each stage represents a distinct level of risk and necessitates specific treatment or management. The following are the stages of blood pressure or hypertension:
Normal Blood Pressure: When your blood pressure level is lower than 120/80 mmHg, it is categorized as Normal blood pressure.
Elevated blood pressure: When the systolic blood pressure is between 120 and 129 mmHg, and your diastolic blood pressure reading is below 80 mmHg, it is classified as elevated blood pressure.
Stage 1 hypertension- It can be defined as the systolic reading between 130 and 139 mmHg, and the diastolic reading between 80 and 89 mmHg.
Stage 2 hypertension- When the systolic reading is 140 mm Hg or more, or the diastolic reading exceeds 90 mm Hg, it is Stage 2 hypertension.
A blood pressure level of more than 180/120 mmHg is termed a Hypertensive crisis or an emergency situation. You should seek immediate medical attention for anyone who experiences these symptoms. If left untreated, it may increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, or serious health problems.
A condition of high blood pressure or hypertension usually does not show any signs or symptoms unless it reaches the life-threatening stage. The only way to be certain about your high blood pressure rate is to have it checked regularly, especially if you feel you may be at risk or already have high blood pressure.
In a few of the cases, you may witness symptoms such as nose bleeding, headaches, shortness of breath, blurred vision, anxiety, chest pain, and abnormal heart rhythm. There may be other symptoms as well; however, if you encounter any of these symptoms, you should always seek medical help immediately.
There is a wide range of generic antihypertensive medications available to doctors for treating high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It can be difficult to choose the right medication for your condition. Your healthcare provider may recommend one or a combination of antihypertensives to treat your high blood pressure. You can buy antihypertensive medications online. Below are the types of medications that are used to treat hypertension:
Diuretics or water pills: They are often used as the first course of treatment for high blood pressure. It helps to remove sodium and water from the body. Hydrochlorothiazide is an example of a water pill.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These drugs help to relax blood vessels by intercepting a natural chemical that narrows them. For example: Lisinopril.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These types of medication also relax blood vessels by stopping the action of a natural chemical responsible for narrowing them. For example: Candesartan, Losartan, etc.
Calcium channel blockers: These medications help relax the muscles of the blood vessels, slowing the heart rate; for example, Cardizem and Norvasc.
You can buy Cardizem 180 mg Tablets that work by relaxing your blood vessels, which reduces the pressure that is put on the vessels due to the blood flow. The generic Norvasc 2.5 mg tablets may also help lower the risk of stroke or a heart attack.
Disclaimer: Always talk to your doctor before beginning or stopping any hypertension medication, as it can be life-threatening.
There are a lot of factors that should be kept in mind while choosing the right antihypertensive medication, as it depends on various individual factors. This can only be clarified by a healthcare professional, so it is recommended to consult them before starting any antihypertensive medication. Factors such as lifestyle choices, health conditions, age, and side effects are crucial in selecting the right medication or combination of medicines to effectively control blood pressure levels.
A healthy lifestyle is said to be the best option to control almost all cardiovascular diseases. Especially, it helps to control your blood pressure levels and is the only possible way to stop you from taking your blood pressure medications. You can try the mentioned tips if your blood pressure level is high or slightly above the average, which can later reduce or prevent the need for medications:
Stress management by practising meditation and yoga
Maintain a healthy weight
Include more whole grains, fruits, and veggies in your diet
Use less salt
Manage your sleep cycle so that you get proper rest
Include at least 30 minutes (or 10min+ 10min+ 10min) of physical exercise in your daily routine.
Avoid or limit the amount of alcohol.
Hypertension comes with a risk of various health conditions, and you may not even be aware of it. If you ever suspect you may be experiencing this condition, consult a doctor to have your blood pressure checked. The good news is that no matter what your age is, if you are committed to taking a step forward to keep your blood pressure level in a healthy range, you can definitely achieve your goal by just making some minor changes in your lifestyle with the help of some medications. Embrace this journey; your efforts can truly lead to positive changes!
The most common prescribed medications for hypertension are ACE inhibitors, angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs), Calcium channel blockers, Thiazide Diuretics, and Beta-blockers.
The right blood pressure medication for you will be determined by your doctor based on how high your blood pressure level is and your overall health. Sometimes, more than one medication is needed, and your doctor may need to try different options to see which works best for you.
The most common side effects of hypertension medications are: Insomnia, Constipation, Tiredness or depression, Dizziness, Slow heartbeat, Symptoms of asthma, Sexual and/or erectile dysfunction, and Heart block.
You should never switch your hypertension medication without consulting your healthcare provider. Always talk to your doctor if your current prescription is not effective in lowering your blood pressure, so they can guide you on the best course of action.
Whether you need to take high blood pressure medication for life depends on your individual response and the lifestyle changes you make. Only your doctor can advise if you can reduce or stop your medication safely.
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