Blood Pressure Therapies: 7 Prescription Drugs and Natural Medicines

Blood pressure therapies come in many ways. This is because doctors, chemists and other experts have different opinions. Some believe in the effectiveness of prescription drugs or pills; others state that natural therapies or herbal treatments are much more effective and safer.

While experts in medicines are debating in what is the most ideal therapy for high blood pressure, their opinions and advices can be found in books, magazines and here on the Net. So one might get confused what to believe. Let us compare the prescription drugs and the natural medicines. Here are partial facts about these two options of therapies for high blood pressure.

Blood Pressure Therapy # 1 – Diuretics

Diuretics improve blood pressure by eliminating the unwanted excess fluids in our bodies especially salt or sodium. Thus, it makes easier for the heart to pump. However, diuretics can increase the levels of cholesterol and result to diabetes and, in some cases, can cause heart failure. Examples of these are aldactone, Bumex, Esidrix and Lasix. Side effects of these include impotence, dizziness and weakness of the body.

Blood Pressure Therapies

Blood Pressure Therapy # 2 – Systol D

This medicine is a natural diuretic. This can decrease cholesterol in the body and decrease blood pressure as well. Again, Systol-D incorporates a forkskolin and hawthorn berry extract in the package. These are believed to relax the walls of the arteries and improve the heart muscles. This natural medicine can also work the same way as with ACE inhibitors. There are no reported side effects with this kind of therapy.

Systol-D produces chamomile and Apigenin. Because of its calming effect this natural therapy can reduce blood pressure. Hawthorn berry is also added to improve the heart to pump well while keeping the heart rate normal.

Blood Pressure Therapy # 3 – Beta Blockers

These compounds are blocking agents which obstruct the generation of unwanted chemicals that cause high blood pressure. Beta blockers come in many brands like metoprolol, acebutolol, bisoprolol and atenolol. Side effects are slow heartbeat, nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite, light headedness, and depression.

Blood Pressure Therapy # 5 – Ace Inhibitors

These compounds keep the function of the blood flow, contracting the enzymes called the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme, which causes the blood vessel muscles to block the blood flow. With these inhibitors, the pressure of the blood is reduced. Examples of these are lisinopril, captopril, benazepril, fosinopril, and enalapril. Mild side effects of these inhibitors are dizziness, coughing, drowsiness, headaches and weakness. The severe effects are kidney failure, allergic reactions and birth defects.

Blood Pressure Therapy # 6 – Vasodilators

These drugs widen the blood vessels. They function directly on the muscle and walls of the arteries. As an outcome, it controls the blood pressure. Side effects are headache, flushing, vomiting, dizziness, excessive hair growth, edema, nausea and tissue damage. Vasodilators are available as hydralazine hydrochloride and minoxidil.

Blood Pressure Therapy # 7 – Blood Thinners

These are prescription drugs that don’t actually thin the blood flow, as the name goes, but instead reduce the possibility for blood clot. Examples of these are dicumarol, heparin and Coumadin. Side effects are diarrhea, weight gain, upset stomach, and appetite loss. The most dangerous side effect of this is that it can cause sudden death, because of some chemicals that are derived from pig intestines. Most of these medicines are made in China.

Because there are some problems with these blood pressure therapies, you can exhaust your options even further if you are treating high blood pressure. Remedies for high blood pressure are also available through natural means. You can read the review of products found in this link: high blood pressure treatment.