How to Use Diuretics to Lower High Blood Pressure

Diuretics are among the oldest known medications for treating high blood pressure. Commonly referred to as water pills, diuretics work in the kidney to remove sodium and flush excess water from the body. Although diuretics may be used alone to treat high blood pressure, or hypertension, doctors today are more frequently prescribing low doses of diuretics in combination with other anti-hypertensive medications to improve the effect of the other medications. The ultimate goal of diuretics is to relax the blood vessel walls which results in lower blood pressure. Read on to learn how to use diuretics to lower high blood pressure.

Instructions

Take Your Medicine as Prescribed

• 1

  Follow daily dosage requirements. Fluctuating dosages will prevent the doctor from accurately measuring your progress and correctly adjusting dosage amounts to achieve long-term health goals.

• 2

  Ask your doctor which foods, drinks, other medications or physical activities to avoid while on the drug.

• 3

  Store medication properly. Pay special attention to each medication's ideal storage temperature.

• 4

  Ask your pharmacist to create a system that helps you simplify your medication routine. Instruction sheets, weekly pill containers, colored labeling and even timer caps that remind you when to take your medication are available in many drug and retail stores.

• 5

  Consult with your doctor about additional activities you can do to maximize the effects of the medications you are taking. What physical exercises are considered safe and effective? What foods, drinks or dietary supplementals can you safely consume?

Understand Potential Side Effects

• 6

  Drink plenty of water throughout the day as diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide in high doses can cause dehydration and excessive thirst.

• 7

  Monitor your heart. Potassium levels may be adversely affected by diuretic medications, which will cause irregular heartbeats.

• 8

  Be aware of your existing medical conditions and how diuretics may effect your overall health. Diuretic medications may cause an increase in uric acid, calcium and blood sugar levels, all of which can be hazardous to those suffering from diabetes, heart disease and high cholesterol.

• 9

  Use a medication chart to note when you take your medications and the positive and negative side effects you may experience.

• 10

  Determine if you are allergic to sulfa, which is contained in most diuretics.