![]() However, most people who take medicines to lower blood pressure do not develop any side-effects, or only have mild side-effects. What about side-effects?Īll medicines have possible side-effects, and no medicine is without risk. You should not normally take a beta-blocker if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or certain types of heart or blood vessel problems.įor more information see the separate leaflet called Beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are also commonly used to treat angina and some other conditions. They work by slowing the heart rate, and reducing the force of the heart. However, sometimes they may be used where there are other conditions present, such as heart failure or atrial fibrillation. This is because they have been found to be less effective in preventing strokes and heart attacks than other medication choices. Then, a yearly blood test is usual.įor more information see the separate leaflet called Thiazide Diuretics.īeta-blockers are no longer usually used for blood pressure treatment alone. You should also have a blood test within 4-6 weeks of starting treatment with a diuretic, to check that your blood potassium has not been affected. You will need a blood test before starting a diuretic, to check that your kidneys are working well. Thiazides are often the preferred treatment if you can't tolerate other types of medicine or if you have heart failure. Therefore, you will not notice much diuretic effect (that is, you will not pass much extra urine). Only a low dose of a diuretic is needed to treat high blood pressure. The most commonly used diuretics to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in the UK are thiazides or thiazide-like diuretics. They may also have a relaxing effect on the blood vessels, which reduces the pressure within the blood vessels. This has some effect on reducing the fluid in the circulation, which reduces blood pressure. 'Water' tablets (diuretics) work by increasing the amount of salt and fluid that you pass out in your urine. Calcium-channel blockers can also be used to treat angina.įor more information see the separate leaflet called Calcium-channel Blockers. This has a relaxing effect on the blood vessels. So, they have a similar effect to ACE inhibitors (described above) and you will need blood tests at the same times as your would if you were taking ACE inhibitors.Ĭalcium-channel blockers affect the way calcium is used in the blood vessels and heart muscle. They work by blocking the effect of angiotensin II on the blood vessel walls. The ones available in the UK are: azilsartan, candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan and valsartan. These medicines are sometimes called angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. Then, a yearly blood test is usual.įor more information see the separate leaflet called ACE Inhibitors. The blood test is repeated within two weeks after starting the medicine and within two weeks after any increase in dose. This will check that your kidneys are working well. You will need a blood test before starting an ACE inhibitor. ACE inhibitors are not used in pregnant or breastfeeding women. They are often used for people with chronic kidney disease. If there is less of this chemical, the blood vessels relax and widen and so the pressure of blood within the blood vessels is reduced.Īn ACE inhibitor is particularly useful if you also have heart failure or diabetes. This chemical tends to narrow (constrict) blood vessels. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitorsĪCE inhibitors work by reducing the amount of a chemical, called angiotensin II, that you make in your bloodstream.
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