Having a systolic pressure of 160 or higher or a diastolic pressure of 100 or higher, or possessing both readings to be high; you have stage 2 high blood pressure. In such scenarios, you will most likely require to take a minimum of at least two common medications upon starting your treatment.
Similarly to stage 1 hypertension, you will be most likely to be prescribed a thiazide diuretic. Excess water and sodium are eliminated from your body by the thiazide diuretic. This will effectively lower your blood pressure. Together with the diuretic, you might also be recommended to take:
A calcium channel blocker: Due to this drug being used, calcium cannot go to both the heart and the blood vessel muscle cells. This allows the cells to stay relax and thus reduce the blood pressure.
An ACE inhibitor: By inhibiting the production of the hormone that causes blood vessels to shrink, this drug aids to keep the blood vessels relax.
A beta blocker: This drug work by lowering the nerve signals to the heart and blood vessels thus reducing the blood pressure.
An angiotensin II receptor blocker: Expands blood vessels by stopping a hormone called Angiotensin from affecting the vessels.
When your blood pressure increase dramatically, it is crucial to lower it rapidly in order to prevent or delay the complications. A two-drug combination generally works faster as compared to a single drug to get your blood pressure under control.
Similarly to Stage 1 Hypertension, a double medication combo also protects the patient against heart disease, kidney failure and stroke. In some cases, a third, or more, medication may be needed in order to get your condition under control.
High blood pressure is more often than not present with other health problems. Some of the conditions present might be serious enough to warrant a more aggressive treatment. These conditions are:
-Diabetes
-Heart failure
-Chronic kidney disease
-Previous heart attack
-High risk of coronary artery disease
-Enlarged left chamber of the heart (left ventricular hypertrophy)
-Previous stroke
By having Hypertension, you have a greater risk of contracting any of the conditions in the above list. Thus, if you already have one or more of these conditions plus high blood pressure, your chances of developing a life-threatening complication increases. Therefore, a more forceful treatment might be needed in order to reduce your risk of getting these complications.
You might be prescribed specific high blood pressure medications to treat these conditions, as well as additional medications for your high blood pressure. Example: Beta blockers might be prescribed for your chest pain (Angina), these drugs also work to lower your blood pressure, prevent chest pain, reduce your heart rate and reduce your risk of death.
Taking both a thiazide diuretic and an ACE inhibitor can decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke if you have both diabetes and high blood pressure. However if you have diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease, you might require an additional medicine to be added to the cocktail such as an angiotensin II receptor blocker.
