High blood pressure, also called hypertensive , is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening state of health. There are several prescription drugs that can be used to lower blood pressure. However, some of these drugs have serious side effects.
Preparative antihypertensive drugs:
Drugs that reduce high blood pressure are called antihypertensive drugs There are several different classes of these medicines. These include thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers, ARB (angiotensin II receptor antagonists). Despite the fact that all these drugs reduce blood pressure, they do this through different mechanisms, and therefore have different general effects on the body, different side effects profiles. They also differ in cost.
In general, the doctor or medical specialist knows best what medicine is the best choice for each person. However, in our society, many doctors are too inclined to prescribe medications, so it is best to ask your doctor if the medicine is absolutely necessary before taking it, and first take other approaches to treating your condition if it is a better choice.
When is the drug suitable?
Since the drugs used to treat hypertension have potentially dangerous side effects, they should only be used as a last resort. In some cases, they can save lives. However, these powerful prescription drugs should only be used when other, safer ways to lower blood pressure have been consumed.
Natural treatments for high blood pressure:
In most cases, hypertension is easily controlled by simple changes in diet and lifestyle. Several key changes in the diet, such as reducing sodium (salt) intake, ensuring adequate potassium, and limiting the consumption of refined carbohydrates, alcohol, and caffeine, can significantly contribute to lowering blood pressure. Adopting regular exercise is also key. Reducing or eliminating stress can also have a similar effect. Also, make sure you avoid foods and herbs that are known to aggravate hypertension, such as licorice.
Many people with moderately high blood pressure prehypertension , one measure is often enough to return their blood pressure to normal healthy levels. These measures can also be combined for a stronger approach, overcoming hypertension at different angles. Below we discuss a potentially useful herbal remedy. However, in a few rare cases, prescription medicine may be required.
If you must take medicine to lower blood pressure, it depends on age:
2009 Review, published in Cochrane database (Issue 12, 2010) V.M. Musini et al., “Pharmacotherapy for hypertension in the elderly”, concluded that the treatment of elderly patients older than 80 years with prescription drugs does not provide any benefit in reducing mortality . A significant number of seizures were observed in this study due to the adverse effects of drugs, emphasizing that these drugs can have significant unpleasant and / or dangerous consequences. Based on this review, people over the age of 80 should not take medication to treat hypertension.
Herbal treatments for high blood pressure:
Traditional medicine recommends a range of different medicinal herbs for various conditions, including high blood pressure. In some cases, herbal medicines have very little evidence. However, there is one drug for treating high blood pressure that has solid scientific evidence to support its use and effectiveness. it hibiscus tea ,
Hibiscus tea is a caffeine-free herbal tea made from roselis sepals ( Hibiscus Sabdariff ) flower. Hibiscus tea is believed to act similarly to ACE inhibitors, although it is much safer than these drugs. Hibiscus has been used as a beverage for centuries, is a common ingredient in herbal teas and is widely recognized as safe for most people. Hibiscus has been shown in clinical trials to be effective in lowering blood pressure, and has even been compared with some prescription drugs with encouraging results. It also shows some evidence of other health benefits, such as lowering cholesterol. Hibiscus tea is not always the best choice for everyone. It is very sour, which can cause problems in people with acid reflux, and that can make it difficult for some people to eat, although others like a sharp taste.
Eventually:
Blood pressure lowering medication is the last resort and should be used only after all other ways of increasing hyperactivity have been exhausted, including diet modification, exercise and stress reduction. There is evidence that people over the age of 80 should not take medication for hypertension. Hibiscus tea is a useful and reliable treatment for hypertension.
