8 Classes of High Blood Pressure Drugs

An overview of the 8 classes of high blood pressure drugs, how they work, and their common "listed" side effects:

ACE inhibitors – [Accupril (Quinapril); Aceon (Perindopril); Altace (Ramipril); Lotensin (Benazepril); Capoten (Captopril); Vasotec (Enalapril); Monopril (Fosinopril); Prinivil, Zestril (Lisinopril); Univasc (Moexipril); Mavik (Trandolapril)]

Function: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent your body from making Angiotensin II - a natural substance our bodies produce that, among other things, can cause our blood vessels to narrow, thicken and stiffen. Angiotensin II also triggers the release of a hormone associated with increased water and sodium in the body.

Side effects: The most common side effect is a dry cough. Rarer side effects include: Lightheadedness, dizziness, rash, reduced appetite, increased blood potassium, changes in the flavor of foods and swelling. ACE inhibitors are also associated with birth defects. Some pain relievers reduce the effectiveness of ACE inhibitors.

Alpha Blockers – [Cardura (Doazosin); Minipress (Prazosin); Hytrin (Terazosin); Flomax (Tamsulosin); Uroxatral (Alfuzosin)]

Top Ten Risks of Ignoring High Blood Pressure

Here is a List of the Top 10 Risks of Ignoring High Blood Pressure

1. Artery Damage:
Arteries can harden and thicken under excessive pressure.

2. Aneurisms:
An aneurism is when an artery in the brain balloons outwards. Aneurisms aren’t always a problem by themselves. What they can lead to, however, is very serious – a stroke.

3. Stroke:
 A stroke happens when a clot impedes blood flow to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Reducing your blood pressure by as little as 5-6mmHg can lower your stroke risk factor by up to 40%. Strokes are very serious business – they’re the third most common cause of death in Western societies.

4. Heart attack:
With your heart working overtime fighting high blood pressure, it gets bigger. This increases your chances of having a heart attack. Heart attack is the most common cause of death in the West.

5. Congestive heart failure:
This happens when your heart becomes too weak or stiff to work efficiently. By lowering your blood pressure by as little as 5-6mmHg you can decrease your risk of heart failure by as much as 15-20%.