Medications for High Blood Pressure

Hypertension (high blood pressure) occurs when the heart pumps an increased amount of blood while the arteries become more narrow and resistant to blood flow. If left untreated, the risk of serious health conditions such as heart attack and stroke can increase. The risk of high blood pressure increases with age. Typically, there are no signs or symptoms to indicate the presence of hypertension until blood pressure has risen to undesirable levels.  In most persons, the cause is unknown. Certain types of over-the-counter medications, such as decongestants, as well as certain types of prescription medications may cause an increase in a person’s blood pressure.

Lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious diet and getting regular physical activity, are helpful in treating high blood pressure. There are several categories of medications that may be prescribed, including thiazide diuretics, beta-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Aliskiren (Tekturna) is a new renin inhibitor. This medication works to block the enzyme renin from initiating a chemical event that leads to increased blood pressure. While this medication may be used alone, it may be more effective when used in combination with other blood pressure medicines.