Various antihypertensive drugs
Generally speaking, there are 5 different groups of antihypertensive drugs. These include ACE inhibitors, diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium antagonists and Sartans, which are very similar to ACE inhibitors in terms of mode of action and side effects. The physician decides on the most suitable medication depending on the patient’s concomitant diseases.
For example, ACE inhibitors and Sartane are very well suited for patients with diabetes, a previous heart attack or heart failure. They are prohibited, i.e. contraindicated, in patients with advanced kidney damage and bilateral renal artery stenosis. Taking ACE inhibitors would lead to a loss of renal blood flow, which would ultimately be fatal.
Diuretics, and especially thiazides, are good for patients with heart failure, but should not be used in patients with gout or hypokalemia (low potassium). Beta-blockers are particularly effective in heart failure and some cardiac arrhythmias, but should be avoided as a matter of urgency in patients with diabetes or Raynaud’s syndrome. Calcium antagonists, on the other hand, are very well suited for patients with Raynaud’s syndrome or stable angina pectoris and should not be given in patients with cardiac insufficiency or slow heart rhythm disturbances.
Clonidine, reserpine, urapidil, nitrates and dihydralazine are available as reserve drugs that can quickly and emergencyly lower blood pressure. It is important for patients to know that antihypertensive drugs must be taken for life and must not be discontinued without consulting a doctor. When blood pressure returns to normal, this is not a sign that the medication is becoming superfluous, but only that the therapy is working.
After discontinuing the medication, there would be a renewed rise in blood pressure after a few weeks and, depending on the medication, further complications. Before a drug therapy, one should always try to lower the high blood pressure by changing one’s lifestyle. Weight loss and a healthy diet would be the first step.
Studies have shown that weight loss is the most effective way to reduce high blood pressure. Per kilogram of weight loss, blood pressure can be reduced by 5-22mmHg. At the same time, weight loss also has a positive effect on other risk factors such as diabetes or hypercholesterolemia.
As a matter of principle, a lower intake of table salt (maximum 6g/day), fats and alcohol should be taken into account in the diet. For this purpose, products such as ready meals, canned food, smoked fish or savoury snacks should be avoided and instead fresh, non-preserved food, fruit, vegetables, nuts, cereal products and dairy products should be used. It would be advisable to drink low-sodium mineral water and to limit alcohol consumption to a maximum of 20g (approx. 2 glasses of red wine). For dressings and seasonings, spices or garlic could be used instead of salt.
