If you have hypertension, which is high blood pressure, taking steps to lower your blood pressure can greatly improve your health and well-being while reducing your risk of complications, like heart attack and stroke.
High blood pressure is very common. In fact, nearly half of the adults in the United States (47%) have it — and only 1 in 4 are managing their condition effectively.
The American Heart Association (AHA) says that high blood pressure is when your reading is between 130/80 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and 140/90 mm Hg. Treatment focuses on lowering your blood pressure and keeping it within a healthy range.
Lifestyle factors
Hypertension can have many causes, including stress, a high salt diet, and not enough exercise. Making small changes to your daily routine can have a measurable impact on reducing your blood pressure.
Many people can lower their blood pressure by using lifestyle strategies, including:
- eating a balanced diet focused on vegetables and fruits
- reducing your intake of salt and trans fat
- increasing your physical activity and exercise
- reducing your alcohol consumption
- quitting smoking
You can learn more about lifestyle strategies to manage hypertension here.
Blood pressure medications
Not everyone needs to take medication to manage their blood pressure, but doctors will sometimes recommend medications, such as beta-blockers like atenolol or diuretics like furosemide. Some people take medications long term.
The type of medication a doctor prescribes will depend on various factors. For example, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS):
- people under 55 often take angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin-2 receptor blockers
- people ages 55 and over often take a calcium channel blocker
Hypertension drugs can cause side effects, such as headaches, dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea. However, most people don’t experience side effects.
It’s important to take hypertension medications as directed by a doctor or healthcare professional, as they won’t work well if you miss doses. An estimated 10% to 80% of people with hypertension have trouble keeping up with their medication.
Having trouble following your treatment plan? Consider speaking with a doctor about factors that might help.
ACE inhibitors
These drugs help your blood vessels relax and widen, which helps lower your blood pressure. Most people take ACE inhibitors orally (by mouth), though some take them as injections, typically during a hospital stay.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) highlights several types of ACE inhibitors, including:
- lisinopril (Qbrelis)
- benazepril (Lotensin)
- captopril (Capoten)
- enalapril (Vasotec)
- moexipril
- perindopril
Pregnant people should avoid taking ACE inhibitors to treat hypertension. You can talk with your doctor about the best way to manage hypertension during pregnancy.
Alpha-blockers
Alpha-blockers lower blood pressure by preventing the arteries from tightening. This relaxes the muscle tone of the vein walls, allowing blood to flow more easily. Alpha-blockers are usually oral medications.
According to the AHA, types of alpha-blockers include:
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers lower blood pressure by reducing your heart rate. You can take beta-blockers orally or, if you are an inpatient, they may also give them via injections.
Common beta-blockers include:
- metoprolol (Lopressor)
- metoprolol ER (Toprol)
- acebutolol (Sectral)
- betaxolol (Kerlone)
- carteolol (Cartrol)
- atenolol (Tenormin)
- propranolol (Inderal)
Another option is carvedilol (Coreg). This is a combination alpha-beta-blocker that you may typically receive through IV as an inpatient. However, if you are at risk of heart failure, a doctor may prescribe this medication to take home.
If you need help covering the cost of medications, Optum Perks’ free Discount Card could help you get up to 80% off prescription medication. See how much you can save on your medication here.
