Blood Pressure Medicine That Starts With A P
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a common condition that affects millions of Americans. It is characterized by an increase in the force of blood against the walls of the arteries, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Fortunately, there are many effective blood pressure medications available, including those that start with the letter P. In this article, we will take a closer look at these medications and how they work.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the walls of the arteries as it flows through the body. When this pressure is consistently high, it can damage the arteries and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other health problems. High blood pressure is often called the "silent killer" because it typically has no symptoms until it has caused significant damage.
The American Heart Association defines high blood pressure as a reading of 130/80 mmHg or higher. The top number, or systolic pressure, measures the force of blood when the heart beats. The bottom number, or diastolic pressure, measures the force of blood when the heart is at rest.
How Are Blood Pressure Medications Categorized?
There are several categories of blood pressure medications, each of which works in a different way to lower blood pressure. These categories include:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Diuretics
- Renin inhibitors
Each of these categories has several different medications that fall under them. P medications fall under the category of calcium channel blockers.
What Are Calcium Channel Blockers?
Calcium channel blockers are medications that work by blocking the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure.
There are several calcium channel blockers that start with the letter P, including:
- Procardia (nifedipine)
- Plendil (felodipine)
- Procardia XL (nifedipine extended-release)
- Plendil ER (felodipine extended-release)
- Cardene (nicardipine)
- Cardene SR (nicardipine extended-release)
How Do P Medications Work?
As mentioned earlier, P medications are calcium channel blockers. They work by blocking the entry of calcium into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, which lowers blood pressure.
By reducing the workload on the heart and relaxing the blood vessels, P medications can help to prevent complications of high blood pressure, such as heart attack, stroke, and kidney damage.
What Are the Side Effects of P Medications?
Like all medications, P medications can cause side effects. Some common side effects of calcium channel blockers include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Flushing
- Swelling in the ankles and feet
- Constipation
- Low blood pressure
If you experience any of these side effects, be sure to talk to your doctor. They may be able to adjust your medication or suggest other treatments to help manage your symptoms.
Conclusion
If you have high blood pressure, it is important to work with your doctor to find the right medication and treatment plan for you. P medications, or calcium channel blockers, are a popular and effective option for many people. By relaxing the blood vessels and lowering blood pressure, P medications can help to prevent complications of high blood pressure and improve your overall health.