High blood pressure, as defined by the drug industry and healthcare doctors, isn’t an instant sentence of death.
The purpose of maintaining blood pressure at or near 140/80 mm Hg is regarded by some to be largely based on drug company influence, not hard science.
Those numbers usually are created to sell drugs by transforming healthy people into patients.
The Natural Increase of Blood Pressure with Age
Rising blood pressure is really a typical process of growing older and does not automatically need medication prescription even when it reaches 140/80 mm Hg. Medical literature shows that as we age, blood pressure rises slightly, most likely to accommodate an increased need for oxygen and nutrients. And this increase does not automatically increase our likelihood of early death.
Temporary Increases in Blood Pressure
Blood pressure can rise to temporary extremes in response to stress, infection, fasting, dehydration, or merely from walking into a doctor’s office. Needless to say, these temporary examples of high blood pressure do not rationalize long-term drug use.
Discussing Hypertension Medications with Your Doctor
The prescriptions provided to people with high blood pressure are not supplied over the counter. Before starting on hypertension medications, the physician and the affected individual should hold a discussion. The actual count of the blood pressure, both diastolic and systolic should be recorded to evaluate the variety of drugs to be used. The general practitioner should also ascertain that the medication given is free from side effects for the patient’s stage of high blood pressure. But despite these steps, the affected individual has to be ready for other side effects that might occur in some circumstances.
Side Effects of Diuretics
Probably the most common kind of high blood pressure medications, such as diuretics, can trigger skin rashes in some patients. Another side effect is the passing of a lot more urine, as the high blood pressure drugs are given to rid the body of excess salts.
Side Effects of Beta Blockers
The beta blockers that are given to patients, in stage II of the blood pressure scale, are administered drugs like Timolol and Sotalol. This high blood pressure medication has side effects that can slow down the heart and open the blood vessels. These may trigger weariness, sleeping difficulties, and even a noticeable cooling of hands and feet.
Side Effects of Calcium Channel Blockers
The calcium channel blockers like Lacidipine and Felodipine have other side effects. Patients taking these high blood pressure medications sometimes complain of swollen ankles, bleeding gums, the passing of urine at night, and in some cases constipation. For patients who may have other issues along with their blood pressure problems, prescription drugs are given in combination with drugs related to their particular difficulties. These patients are typically on alpha-blockers like Perindopril and Trandolapril.
Effects on Heart Rate
Nearly all such medications have an effect on the heart as well as blood vessels, so it isn’t out of the ordinary for some people who take them to have differences in their heartbeat. Nevertheless, some of these medicines may cause the heart rate to slow, while others can cause the heart rate to be irregular or fast. Fatigue is also a frequently stated side effect of many of the medicinal drugs used to treat high blood pressure.
Other Common Side Effects
Possibly the most common high blood pressure medication side effect is incontinence among women patients. Wooziness is also a common side effect. The doctor should notify the affected individual about the possible side effects of taking a particular high-blood pressure drug. As a consequence, the affected individual can start his or her medication with complete awareness of the side effects it might induce.
While high blood pressure is a serious health concern, it’s important to understand that the guidelines for what constitutes high blood pressure may be influenced by drug companies looking to sell more medications. As we age, it’s natural for our blood pressure to rise slightly, and temporary increases in blood pressure due to stress or other factors do not necessarily warrant long-term drug use.
If you and your doctor decide that hypertension medication is necessary, it’s crucial to have an open discussion about the potential side effects and to find the right medication and dosage for your individual needs. Be aware that common side effects of high blood pressure medications can include skin rashes, increased urination, fatigue, swollen ankles, bleeding gums, constipation, changes in heart rate, and incontinence in women.
Ultimately, the decision to start hypertension medication should be made in collaboration with your healthcare provider, taking into account your overall health, lifestyle factors, and potential risks and benefits of treatment. By staying informed and advocating for your own health, you can make the best decisions for managing your blood pressure and maintaining your well-being.
How Hypertension affects your Heart
Hypertension is a condition that is seen very commonly in a major part of the adults in the general population. The fast paced lifestyle of the modern world is one which is filled with stress and an elevated blood pressure is a widespread result. Hypertension can affect the heart in a number of ways and if not properly diagnosed and treated it could lead to a number of potentially lethal complications. These are collectively referred to as Hypertensive Heart Diseases.