How to Medicate Stage 1 High Blood Pressure

Treatment for high blood pressure is based on several factors. A person who does not have a personal or family history of heart conditions but is experiencing slightly elevated pressure may be categorized as Stage 1. This indicates that he has a systolic pressure ranging between 140 and 160 or a diastolic pressure ranging between 90 and 100. This is not considered an emergency situation and can usually be well controlled with the proper medication.

Instructions

• 1

  Take physician-prescribed thiazide diuretics, like Diuril, if high blood pressure is associated with water retention. This particular type of diuretic is also helpful in guarding against stroke, which can be brought on due to heart conditions.

• 2

  Check into loop diuretics like Bumex if high sodium is not a problem. While this type of diuretic does not guard against stroke, it still controls pressure associated with water retention.

• 3

  Try a potassium-sparing diuretic like Midamor when potassium retention is required due to other health issues.

• 4

  Determine if nonselective beta-blockers like Inderal or cardioselective beta-blockers like Tenormin are advised for your type of blood pressure. Beta-blockers are one of the first lines of defense in Stage 1 high blood pressure because they decrease the number of signals sent to nerves in order to block adrenaline and slow down heartbeat.

• 5

  Seek out prescription alpha-1 blockers like Cardura if high blood pressure is caused by vessel constriction.

• 6

  Consider combination (alpha and beta) blockers like Coreg if there are multiple conditions associated with your high blood pressure.

• 7

  Take a vasodilator like Loniten when clogged or blocked arteries are connected to high blood pressure. Be aware; however, that the drug is rarely taken alone. It is often prescribed in conjunction with one or more other medications to regulate heartbeat.

• 8

  Try a calcium channel blocker like Procardia when the amount of calcium entering the heart muscle needs to be regulated. Calcium channel blockers ensure proper dilation, allowing heart muscle relaxation that lowers blood pressure. This type of medication is also prescribed for heart arrhythmia because it slows the nerve impulses of the heart.

• 9

  Take ACE inhibitors like Lotensin if elimination of angiotensin production leads to blood vessel constriction, resulting in high blood pressure. ACE inhibitors also work to protect the kidneys of diabetics and helps patients who might be candidates for congestive heart failure.

• 10

  Take angiotensin II receptor blockers like Diovan to block antiotensin's constriction of the arteries.