The prevalence of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is constantly on the rise all across the world.
In the U.S alone, it currently affects 70 million adult, which is one in every three adults.
It is also worth mentioning that about a third of American citizens have prehypertension, a condition which is characterized by high blood pressure, but not yet HBP. This disease costs the USA $46 billion annually, including the cost of medications, treatment, and health care services.
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
High blood pressure is a term referring to an increased pressure of blood in the arteries, which may be caused by two major factors:
The heart pumps blood too forcefully
The body`s smaller blood vessels became narrow, which causes the blood to exert more pressure
In the U.S alone, it currently affects 70 million adult, which is one in every three adults.
It is also worth mentioning that about a third of American citizens have prehypertension, a condition which is characterized by high blood pressure, but not yet HBP. This disease costs the USA $46 billion annually, including the cost of medications, treatment, and health care services.
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
High blood pressure is a term referring to an increased pressure of blood in the arteries, which may be caused by two major factors:
The heart pumps blood too forcefully
The body`s smaller blood vessels became narrow, which causes the blood to exert more pressure
Blood pressure is measured by the amount of force that the heart pumps through the body. The pressure can be measured by the amount of force used, the volume of the pumped blood, and the size and flexibility of the arteries.
CAUSES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Primary Hypertension is the most prevalent type of HBP.
It is believed that genetic factors have a critical role in this condition, including genes that cause abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system and those affecting blood pressure control.
Secondary Hypertension is typically caused by an underlying medical condition or factors like medications. Among them are:
Birth defect in the aorta, (the main artery of the heart)
Endocrine disorders
CAUSES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Primary Hypertension is the most prevalent type of HBP.
It is believed that genetic factors have a critical role in this condition, including genes that cause abnormalities of the sympathetic nervous system and those affecting blood pressure control.
Secondary Hypertension is typically caused by an underlying medical condition or factors like medications. Among them are:
Birth defect in the aorta, (the main artery of the heart)
Endocrine disorders
Diabetes type 1 and 2
Kidney disease
Birth control pills
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (generic, Advil, Motrin), naproxen (generic, Aleve), and Aspirin
Corticosteroids
Risk Factors
Men over 45 and women over 55
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obesity
Kidney disease
Birth control pills
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (generic, Advil, Motrin), naproxen (generic, Aleve), and Aspirin
Corticosteroids
Risk Factors
Men over 45 and women over 55
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Obesity
Family history
Chronic alcohol use
Chronic stress
Physical inactivity
Smoking
THE HARM IN PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENT
There are various options for drug treatments for hypertension, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB).
The problem with these drugs is almost all of them cause the patient to feel even worse that the disease itself has caused him to feel in the first place.
DIURETICS
Treatment: These drugs help the kidneys flush out excess salt and water in the body and are usually the first treatment prescribed in case of hypertension.
Medication brands:
Thiazide diuretics – hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril),
chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Clorpres), methyclothiazide (Enduran), indapamide (Lozol), bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
Potassium-sparing diuretics – spironolactone (Aldactone, generic), amiloride (Midamor, generic), and triamterene (Dyrenium, generic)
Loop diuretics – bumetanide (Bumex, generic), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin, generic), furosemide (Lasix, generic), and torsemide (Demadex, generic)
Complications:
Thiazide diuretics may lower body`s supply of potassium, which in turn increases the risk for heart rhythm disturbances. They are also associated with elevated uric acid levels, erectile dysfunction, and elevated blood sugar levels.
Side effects:
Urinary incontinence
Reduced sexual drive
Fatigue
Depression and irritability
BETA BLOCKERS
Treatment: Beta blockers slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure levels.
Medication brands: Propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), nadolol (Corgard), timolol (Blocadren), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), carvedilol (Coreg), and nebivolol (Bystolic).
Complications:
They may narrow bronchial airways, which makes the drug inappropriate for those with chronic bronchitis, asthma, or emphysema
They increase the risk for diabetes when combined with a diuretic
Sudden withdrawals may increase heart rate and blood pressure which can cause angina or a heart attack
Side effects:
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Reduced exercising abilities
Coldness in extremities (legs, arms, toes, and hands)
Reduced sexual drive
Fatigue and lethargy
Vivid dreams and nightmares
Depression
Memory loss
ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE)
Treatment:
These drugs widen the blood vessels and reduce the overall workload of the heart, thus treating high blood pressure.
Medication brands: captopril (Capoten, generic), quinapril (Accupril, generic), enalapril (Vasotec, generic), perindopril (Aceon, generic), benazepril (Lotensin, generic), ramipril (Altace, generic), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, generic).
Side effects:
Irritating cough
Unfit for pregnancy
Low blood pressure
ANGIOTENSIN-RECEPTOR BLOCKERS (ARBS)
Treatment: Just like ACE, ARBs also widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Medication brands: Losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar, generic), candesartan (Atacand), telmisartan (Micardis), olmesartan (Benicar), valsartan (Diovan), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Ava
Chronic alcohol use
Chronic stress
Physical inactivity
Smoking
THE HARM IN PHARMACEUTICAL TREATMENT
There are various options for drug treatments for hypertension, including beta blockers, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), diuretics, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), and Angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARB).
The problem with these drugs is almost all of them cause the patient to feel even worse that the disease itself has caused him to feel in the first place.
DIURETICS
Treatment: These drugs help the kidneys flush out excess salt and water in the body and are usually the first treatment prescribed in case of hypertension.
Medication brands:
Thiazide diuretics – hydrochlorothiazide (HydroDiuril), chlorothiazide (Diuril),
chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Clorpres), methyclothiazide (Enduran), indapamide (Lozol), bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
Potassium-sparing diuretics – spironolactone (Aldactone, generic), amiloride (Midamor, generic), and triamterene (Dyrenium, generic)
Loop diuretics – bumetanide (Bumex, generic), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin, generic), furosemide (Lasix, generic), and torsemide (Demadex, generic)
Complications:
Thiazide diuretics may lower body`s supply of potassium, which in turn increases the risk for heart rhythm disturbances. They are also associated with elevated uric acid levels, erectile dysfunction, and elevated blood sugar levels.
Side effects:
Urinary incontinence
Reduced sexual drive
Fatigue
Depression and irritability
BETA BLOCKERS
Treatment: Beta blockers slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure levels.
Medication brands: Propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), betaxolol (Kerlone), carteolol (Cartrol), nadolol (Corgard), timolol (Blocadren), penbutolol (Levatol), pindolol (Visken), carvedilol (Coreg), and nebivolol (Bystolic).
Complications:
They may narrow bronchial airways, which makes the drug inappropriate for those with chronic bronchitis, asthma, or emphysema
They increase the risk for diabetes when combined with a diuretic
Sudden withdrawals may increase heart rate and blood pressure which can cause angina or a heart attack
Side effects:
Dizziness and lightheadedness
Reduced exercising abilities
Coldness in extremities (legs, arms, toes, and hands)
Reduced sexual drive
Fatigue and lethargy
Vivid dreams and nightmares
Depression
Memory loss
ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME (ACE)
Treatment:
These drugs widen the blood vessels and reduce the overall workload of the heart, thus treating high blood pressure.
Medication brands: captopril (Capoten, generic), quinapril (Accupril, generic), enalapril (Vasotec, generic), perindopril (Aceon, generic), benazepril (Lotensin, generic), ramipril (Altace, generic), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril, generic).
Side effects:
Irritating cough
Unfit for pregnancy
Low blood pressure
ANGIOTENSIN-RECEPTOR BLOCKERS (ARBS)
Treatment: Just like ACE, ARBs also widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
Medication brands: Losartan (Cozaar, Hyzaar, generic), candesartan (Atacand), telmisartan (Micardis), olmesartan (Benicar), valsartan (Diovan), eprosartan (Teveten), irbesartan (Ava
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