|  | Conditions Treatments | High Blood Pressure

How to Use Beta Blockers to Lower High Blood Pressure

Beta-blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. Lowering blood pressure helps to lower the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. This article will describe how to use Beta Blockers to lower blood pressure.

Things You'll Need

  • Doctor's appointment
  • Prescription for beta blocker
  • 8 oz. glass of water
Show More

Instructions

  1. How to Use Beta Blockers to Lower Blood Pressure

    • 1

      Schedule an appointment with your doctor if you think you migh have high blood pressure. Symptoms of high blood pressure can include: Dizziness, fatigue, low exercise tolerance, nausea, tightness, pressure, or pain in the chest or arms, and a consistent blood pressure reading of 140/90 or greater or a blood pressure reading consistently higher than your baseline blood pressure

    • 2

      Obtain a prescription from your doctor if you are diagnosed with high blood pressure. There are many different kinds of beta-blockers. The amount of medicine that you need to take may vary. Prescriptions for beta blockers can include: Atenolol (Tenormin), Betaxolol (Kerlone), Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac) ,Bisoprolol (Zebeta), Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), Nadolol (Corgard) and Propranolol (Inderal) to name a few. Be sure to fill the prescription as soon as possible. This will help to decrease the amount of symptoms experienced by high blood pressure.

    • 3

      Talk to your doctor about your medical history before you start taking beta-blockers. The risks of taking the medicine need to be weighed against its benefits. You should talk to your doctor if you are deciding to take a beta-blocker: Let your doctor know if you have allergies to foods or dyes because beta-blockers may make your allergic reactions worse. You should also let your doctor know if you are thinking of becoming pregnant, if you are currently pregnant, or you are breast-feeding your baby. Your doctor also needs to know if you are over 60, have heart disease or poor circulation to your hands or feet, have a slow heart rate (bradycardia) or heart block, or have asthma. Beta-blockers may make these conditions worse.

    • 4

      Read the label on the prescription bottle. As soon as you get your prescription, make sure that it's your name on the label, and that the medication name and dosage is correct . Be sure to read the entire label each time before you take any of the pills.

    • 5

      Follow the instructions carefully as directed by your doctor. When taking any medication, like beta blockers, it is recommended to drink a full glass of water with your pills.

    • 6

      Take the medication at the same time every day. Taking beta blockers at the same time every day helps you to develop a routine that can be easily remembered, as well as maintaining a steady level of the medication in your body.

    • 7

      Schedule regular check-ups with your doctor to evaluate the effectiveness of the medication and your high blood pressure.

High Blood Pressure - Related Articles