Beta Blockers

MEDICATION

Beta Blockers are another medication that your Doctor may prescribe for high blood pressure/hypertension. They are probably the most well known drug related to the heart.

Beta Blockers are used in main to treat heart failure, angina and high blood pressure. There are various types of beta blocker and they are used to treat several different conditions. Beta Blockers work by blocking certain nerves into stimulating the adrenergic receptors that when stimulated on the heart cells increase the rate of heart beat and causing blood pressure to rise. The release of the hormone adrenalin will also stimulate the adrenergic receptors which is why our hearts start to race if we are frightened, so beta blockers stop these receptors from getting stimulated thus stopping the rise in blood pressure.

There is said to be a very long list of side effects over the different types of beta blockers, a few are diarrhea, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness and lack of concentration. But it is said that most people do not suffer to many side effects with beta blockers.

Alpha blockers are another medication that can be used for treating high blood pressure. They relax the arteries and widens them resulting in a slower heart rate thus lower blood pressure.

There are again plenty of possible side effects that may be experienced and they include shortness of breath, back pain, nausea or weight gain.

In the last two posts I just wanted to touch briefly on a few of the blood pressure medications that are used for the treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension, I am by no means any kind of expert on these and there is plenty of information available if you want to find out about any of them in detail. There are also many other medications available for this kind of treatment.

If your Doctor is going to prescribe you these or any other medication do ask questions about how the drug works and what side effects you can expect to experience and always read the information that comes with the medication.