Hypertension is a common chronic disease that affects the health of hundreds of millions of people worldwide. For patients with high blood pressure, long-term use of antihypertensive drugs is the key to controlling blood pressure and preventing complications. However, some blood pressure medications are not recommended for long-term use as they may present some potential *** In this article, we will cover 4 blood pressure medications and ** why doctors recommend switching them as soon as possible.
1. Diuretics.
Diuretics are a common type of antihypertensive medication that lowers blood pressure by promoting urination. However, long-term use of diuretics may lead to electrolyte imbalances in the body, especially hypokalemia and hyponatremia, which can trigger some *** such as arrhythmia, fatigue, muscle cramps, etc. In addition, diuretics may increase the risk of diabetes.
2. Receptor antagonists.
A receptor antagonist is a drug that suppresses adrenergic receptors and lowers blood pressure by reducing heart rate and myocardial contractility. However, long-term use of this medication may increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, etc. In addition, receptor antagonists may also cause fatigue, headaches, dry coughs, etc***
3. Receptor antagonists.
A receptor antagonist is a drug that inhibits vasoconstriction, lowering blood pressure by relaxing vascular smooth muscle. However, long-term use of this medication may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, especially for patients with heart disease or diabetes. In addition, receptor antagonists may also cause orthostatic hypotension, headache, dizziness, etc***
4. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors).
An ACE inhibitor is a drug that inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, which lowers blood pressure by inhibiting angiotensin production. However, long-term use of this medication may increase the risk of hyperkalemia, especially for patients with kidney disease or heart failure. In addition, ACE inhibitors may also cause cough, rash, gastrointestinal upset, and more***
Doctors recommend that people with high blood pressure change their medications as soon as possible for several reasons: First, long-term use of certain antihypertensive medications may increase the risk of cardiovascular events, which is especially dangerous for people with high blood pressure. Secondly, some antihypertensive drugs may bring some serious problems such as arrhythmia, cough, gastrointestinal discomfort, etc., affecting the quality of life of patients. Finally, for some patients, long-term use of the same antihypertensive drug may gradually reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure control, and other drugs may need to be changed to maintain blood pressure stability.
So, how to choose the right antihypertensive medication?First of all, patients should communicate closely with their doctor to understand their condition and medications. The doctor will choose the appropriate antihypertensive drug according to the patient's specific situation and the efficacy of the drug. Secondly, patients should have regular physical examinations and follow-up visits, and adjust the medication regimen in time. Finally, patients should pay attention to their physical condition and blood pressure changes, and seek medical attention in time if there is any abnormal reaction or poor effect.
In conclusion, for patients with hypertension, choosing the right antihypertensive medication is the key to controlling blood pressure and preventing complications. When choosing antihypertensive drugs, patients should pay attention to communicating with their doctors, checking their physical condition regularly, and paying attention to observing changes in blood pressure. At the same time, patients should be aware of the potential risks of taking certain antihypertensive drugs for a long time and follow the doctor's advice to change other drugs as soon as possible to ensure the effectiveness and good health.