Blood Pressure Medicine

Nervous system inhibitors relax the blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down.

 

Examples of nervous system inhibitors used as a medication for high blood pressure include:

 

Vasodilators directly dilate (widen) blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls. This causes blood pressure to go down.

 

Examples of this form of blood pressure medicine include:

 

Blood Pressure Medications: Final Thoughts

Blood pressure treatment can demand considerable time and patience -- from you and your healthcare provider. It can be frustrating to take medicine that may cause side effects, especially if you felt fine before you started treatment. Remember that your blood pressure is only lowered while you are taking these drugs. That's why medicine for high blood pressure can't be stopped in most cases, even after blood pressure is lowered. Often, treatment for this condition must be continued over a lifetime.

 

Try not to get discouraged if you must be treated indefinitely. While some people can reduce their drug dosages after achieving normal blood pressure and maintaining it for a year or more, treatment usually can't be stopped entirely. Dealing with the inconvenience of blood pressure medicine, however, is preferable to suffering a stroke or heart attack. Most people who are treated successfully usually live a long and healthy life.