Consequences of High Blood Pressure You Should Know About [VIDEO]

Side Effects of Common High Blood Pressure Medications

The first medication to control high blood pressure was called sodium thiocyanate, created back in 1900. It's actually a compound mixture of salts and cyanide. It was found to dramatically reduce blood pressure, but also came with a price - life threatening side effects.

Today, over 50,000 Americans die every year because of hypertension (high blood pressure). And now, more than ever, high blood pressure medications are being doled out to us like children touring a candy factory. These meds appear to have come a long way since 1900...but have they?

Not cyanide, but...

It's a drug called Nitropress® . It's a far removed cousin of the old sodium thiocyanate. And it too has been shown to significantly lower blood pressure...

But some of the side effects of this injection drug are:

• Confusion and tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Gasping for a breath - or breathing that stops altogether
• Extreme light-headedness - even while horizontal
• Fainting
• Hyperventilating, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and possible seizure

Fact is, there has never been a high blood pressure medication without dangerous side effects - and there may never be...

Here are just a few things you need to worry about when taking the most common high blood pressure medicines:

→  Diuretics -  these seemingly harmless "water pills" cause an increase in urination and are designed to lower blood pressure by eliminating excess water and salt in the urine. This makes it easier for your heart to pump. They carry the common names of Zaroxolyn and Esidrix. The problem is that they deplete your body of much needed nutrients that also flow out when you urinate. These drugs produce undesirable side effects like frequent urination, dehydration, lethargy, cramps and weakness. More serious (and dangerous) to your health are fever, sore throat, dizziness, blurred vision and arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat).

→ Beta Blockers - designed to block the flow of adrenaline, they can successfully lower blood pressure by opening the blood vessels for easier blood flow, and can reduce the speed and force of your heartbeat. Some common side effects are dizziness, feeling faint, and cold or swollen hands and feet.  In patients with diabetes, these can also "block" the warning signs of low blood-sugar levels. Less common, but all too real, are wheezing and shortness of breath. Beta Blockers can narrow air passages, making it difficult to breath. If you're taking Propanolol, Acebutolol, Metaprolol, Bisoprolol, or Nebivolol - you're at risk.

→  Alpha Blockers - Flomax®, Cardura®, Uroxatral®, and Hytrin® are all Alpha Blockers. They lower your blood pressure by blocking chemical messages sent by blood vessels. They can also cause hair loss, runny nose, dizziness, pounding headaches, extreme weakness, weight gain, and can surge bad cholesterol, putting your heart at risk of failure. Also, a sudden drop in blood pressure caused by these medicines brings the warning against driving or "performing dangerous tasks" until you know how they will affect you.

→Vasodilators - high blood pressure is marked by a contraction of the blood vessels, inhibiting blood flow and making your heart work harder to perform. So it makes sense to use a dilator to relax those smooth muscles and open up the passages. However, the usual problems are associated with their use - dizziness, headaches, nausea and vomiting. But these can also cause diarrhea, and loss of appetite (which they swear is temporary). More serious are the side effects they want you to see your doctor for: unusual change in appearance - rashes, skin tone changes - fainting, fluid retention, pain in joints or back, weakness, unusual bleeding, abnormal heart beat, mood changes, and weight gain.  

Most of these drugs are prescribed together. Many times, one is prescribed to cancel out the dangerous side effects of another. Do you really want to put that kind of stress on your body? If your answer is NO, Learn how to prevent hypertension from this simple tips.

Seems not much has changed since that fateful day back in 1900 when the first high blood pressure "cure" was invented.

8 Tips to Prevent High Blood Pressure

While high blood pressure (also know as hypertension) is a serious health problem, there’s good news. No matter what your age or physical condition, there are things you can do to prevent high blood pressure.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers these 8 tips to help you prevent high blood pressure, or reduce your blood pressure if it’s already a problem.

• Are you overweight? Lose weight: Maintaining a healthy weight (see your doctor about this) will help prevent high blood pressure. Getting back to a healthy weight is not as hard as it sounds. You can start by limiting the portion size of your meals and snacks, and cut way back on high calorie foods. If you eat as many calories as you burn each day, you’ll maintain your weight. Eating fewer calories than you burn will help you lose weight. And losing weight will help lower your blood pressure.

• When you plan meals, think of your heart: Choose a diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. Keep total fat low and avoid foods that are high in saturated fats and cholesterol. Having a healthy heart will help prevent blood pressure. 

• Eat less salt and sodium: Salt and sodium can increase blood pressure, so it’s important to read food labels. The U.S. guidelines suggest limiting sodium intake to no more than 2,400 mg, or about 1 teaspoon of salt each day. If you eat canned, processed, and convenience foods, buy the brands that are lower in sodium.If you salt your food at the table, try using less, or none. It may take a little while to get used to the new flavors, but you may find that food tastes better when you use less salt. Fast food can contain a lot of sodium, so if you eat fast food choose items that are lower in salt and sodium. Reducing your salt intake will help to prevent high blood pressure.

• If you drink alcohol, practice moderation: The U.S. guidelines recommend that men have no more than 2 drinks per day, and women have no more than one alcoholic beverage per day.

•  Increase your physical activity: Exercise is a key factor in preventing high blood pressure. If you get very little exercise now, start slowly and work your way up to at least 30 minutes of a moderate-level activity, such as brisk walking or bicycling, each day. If time is a factor, you’ll still benefit by breaking the 30 minute daily exercise periods into 10 or 15 minute sessions.
  

• Stop smoking: Research shows that smoking increases your chances of developing a heart disease, stroke, stroke, peripheral arterial disease, and several forms of cancer.  

• Talk with your doctor or health care professional: Learn what your blood pressure reading means to your health, and if medication is recommended for you to treat or prevent high blood pressure.

• If your doctor prescribes medication, take it: It’s important to understand:
  
  • what your blood pressure medication is expected to do for you
  • how to take your medication, and when
  • if your blood pressure medication has any side effects
  • if the blood pressure medication is safe to take with any other prescriptions or vitamins you are already taking
  
  If you have high blood pressure and treatment is prescribed, don't be afraid to ask questions or get another medical opinion. Once you understand why you’re taking the medication, follow the recommended dose.
  
  But the best way to treat high blood pressure is to prevent high blood pressure from becoming a problem. These 8 tips, plus advice from your health care provider, can help you keep your blood pressure at a healthy level.