Which antihypertensive drug can be used for long-term and being safe ? Please help me. Thanks in advance.?

Answer 1

As a general rule treatment for high blood pressure is always long term.
Hypertension is treated with different classes of medication:
1. Diuretics: Work at the kidney (commonly known as Water Pills) probably the first med to start with, will make you urinate a lot specially at the beginning, most common one used in this class is Hydrochlorothiazide
2. Beta blockers: Block the beta type epinephrine receptors, these also lower the load on the heard, used for someone who's had a heart attack, not the best first choice for diabetics (since it can mask symptoms of hypoglicemia) also not a good choice if you have Asthma (epinephrine opens up the bronchial tree
3. Ace Inhibitors: block the conversion of Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, which constricts arteries in the body. Best for people with diabetes since it also protects the kidneys and those with previous heart attack. Side effects: coughing!!
4. Angiotensin Receptor Blockers: ARBs are used if you cant tolerate Ace Inhibitors:
5. Calcium channel blockers: Not to be used if you have Heart Failure,
6. other "centrally acting antihypertensives" mostly used in pregnancy

You will probably start with one of these, and possibly add more if your blood pressure is not under control

Of course before getting to medication you should try life style modification (depending on how high your blood pressure is to start with this waiting for life style modification may NOT be an option)
- Lose weight if overweight.
- Limit alcohol use
- Increase aerobic exercise (30 - 45 min a day)
- limit salt to 6 g per day
- take enough potassium (regular diet should do fine, if not bananas)
- take enough calcium and magnesium for general health. (again regular diet should be ok, if not, Dairy!)
- Stop smoking
- reduce saturated fat and cholesterol in your diet

i know this is cliche, but talk to your doctor!

the current recommendations are from the 7th report of the Joint National Committee (JNC VII)

Answer 2

Most are meant to be long-term, but different people tolerate meds differently. I take an anti-hypertensive, but it's been a long route to find one that works for me. Doctors start with the most commonly tolerated ones and work from there.

I started with Norvasc - easily the most common - but it made my feet swell. I moved to HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) but it had me in bed for a month vomiting and sleeping (apparently I'm allergic to Sulfa). I went to Lisinopril, but it gave me a cough (common side-effect) so I moved to Avapro, which made me a bit nauseous but didn't move my BP much. Finally I went to minoxidil, which seems to be working just fine and has brought my BP way down.

You and your doctor will just have to work your way through the list.

Answer 3

There are numerous medications for hypertension. The JNC7 is a guideline for the management of hypertension and there are numerous factors which is taken into account by physicians or other healthcare providers in the management of hypertension. The best rule of thumb is to work with your health care practitioner who knows you, your risk factors and what your risks are to ensure that your hypertension is well controlled. Hypertension can be managed adequately with the proper care, diet, exercise and medication. Here is a link with a guide for management of hypertension: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/hbp/hbp_low/index.htm

Answer 4

Yes there are many out there that are not only safe but effective. You just have to work with the doc and find a med you can tolerate well.