Did the doctor tell you that you have high blood pressure (hypertension)? Then you have been prescribed a pill or two to take every day. In fact, many people in our country have this condition. But how many people really know about the medicine they are taking? Sometimes we just think, "Oh, this is a medicine for blood pressure." But there are many things to consider, such as what this medicine actually does inside the body, why each person is given a different type of medicine, and whether there are any side effects. So today, let's talk about all this in simple Sinhala that you can understand, as if we were talking to a friend.
Simply put, what is the medicine given for this pressure?
Antihypertensives, or in medical terms, "antihypertensives," are medications that help lower your blood pressure and keep it at a normal level. These medications work in the same way.
Imagine that you have a pipe that carries water in your garden. If that pipe gets clogged or if the pipe becomes weak, you have to exert a lot of pressure to get the water flowing, right? Our blood vessels are like that. High blood pressure means that there is a lot of pressure when the blood moves through the blood vessels. What these medicines do is reduce that pressure.
How to do it?
- Some medications widen your blood vessels a little, so that blood can flow more easily without getting stuck. It's like replacing a small tube with a larger one.
- Other medications cause the body to excrete excess water and salt through urine, which reduces blood volume and lowers blood pressure.
- Some other medications work by blocking hormones that are naturally produced in the body and that increase blood pressure.
This medication is often given as a pill that you swallow daily. However, in some emergency situations, it can also be given as an intravenous (IV) injection into a vein in your arm while you are in the hospital.
Why do you need to take medicine for blood pressure?
This is a very important question. Some people think, "I don't have any problems, so why take medicine?" But high blood pressure is like a "silent killer." Most of the time, it doesn't show any major symptoms. But from the inside, it damages your heart, kidneys, brain, and eyes.
When the pressure increases, your heart has to work harder to pump blood. It's like a water pump working up a hill. Over time, this heart can become tired and weak.
So, the main goal of taking medication for blood pressure and controlling it is:
- Protecting your heart.
- Reducing the risk of heart attack.
- Reducing the risk of stroke.
- Preventing kidney failure.
Simply put, this pill will help you protect your life for the rest of your life.
Is the same medicine given to everyone? How does the doctor choose the medicine?
Not at all. The same blood pressure medication your friend is taking may not work for you. A doctor takes many factors into account when prescribing you medication.
- Your age, gender
- How high your blood pressure is
- Whether you have other diseases such as diabetes, cholesterol, heart disease, or kidney disease
- Your body's reaction to certain medications
Sometimes, your blood pressure may not be controlled with just one medication. Your doctor may decide to give you two or three medications together . Also, if you have unbearable side effects from a certain medication or if your blood tests show changes, you may need to stop taking that medication and start taking another medication.
Therefore, never take the medicine your neighbor is taking, thinking, "It might be good for me too." Only the doctor who examines you can decide which medicine is best for you.
Commonly used blood pressure medications and their effects
There are many types of medications for high blood pressure. Let's take a brief look at some of the main types. There's a good chance that the medication you're taking is one of them.
| Drug class name | How it works (in simple terms) | Some possible side effects |
|---|---|---|
| Diuretics (Also called "water pills") | It removes unnecessary salt and water from the body through urine, reducing pressure in the blood vessels. | Frequent urination, dizziness, low/high potassium/magnesium levels in the body. |
| ACE inhibitors | It stops the body from producing a chemical (angiotensin II) that narrows blood vessels. | Dry cough, dizziness, increased potassium levels in the blood, rarely swelling of the face and neck (Angioedema). |
| ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers) | It blocks the ability of the aforementioned chemical to dilate blood vessels. | Dizziness, increased blood potassium levels (less cough than ACE inhibitors). |
| Calcium channel blockers | It prevents calcium from entering the blood vessels and relaxes the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels. | Headache, dizziness, swelling of the ankles and legs, decreased/increased heart rate. |
| Beta-blockers | It reduces the speed and strength of the heart's beat, so the heart pumps blood at a lower pressure. | Feeling very tired, slow heart rate, dizziness, cold hands and feet. |
Should you be afraid of side effects?
You may be a little scared when you see the side effects in this table. But in reality, not everyone gets all of these side effects. Most people can use this medicine without any problems.
The most important thing is to tell your doctor immediately if you notice anything unusual or have any new symptoms. He or she can determine if it's due to the medication or something else, and if necessary, change the dosage or prescribe a different medication.
Why doesn't my blood pressure go down even though I take medicine?
This is also a problem that many people have. Some people say, "I take my medication on time every day, but when I look at the machine, my blood pressure is still high." There can be several reasons for this.
- Insufficient dosage of medication: Perhaps the dosage of medication prescribed to you is not sufficient.
- Medication incompatibility: You may need more than one medication, two or three types.
- Lifestyle mistakes: Taking medication alone is not enough. If you eat a lot of salt , drink alcohol , or don't exercise , it can be difficult to control your blood pressure.
- Other medications: Some painkillers and herbs you take for other conditions can interfere with the effectiveness of blood pressure medications.
- Not taking medication properly: If you forget to take your medication on some days, your blood pressure may fluctuate.
- Other underlying medical conditions: Very rarely, high blood pressure can be caused by another medical condition (e.g. kidney disease, hormonal problems). This is called ``secondary hypertension''. If your blood pressure is not controlled despite several medications, your doctor will look into this as well.
If you are also having this problem, please talk to your doctor about it. He or she will be able to determine the cause and develop a treatment plan for you.
When do you need to see the doctor?
As someone who takes medication for blood pressure, it is essential that you visit your doctor for regular check-ups. In addition, seek medical advice in the following situations:
- If you experience side effects that are difficult to tolerate (such as headaches, severe dizziness, swelling of the legs).
- If, when measuring your blood pressure at home, the reading is consistently very high (e.g., greater than 180/110 mmHg).
- If your blood pressure reading is very low (e.g., below 90/60 mmHg) and you feel dizzy or faint when you stand up.
- If you are planning to become pregnant or find out you are pregnant , your doctor will prescribe a safer medication for you, as some blood pressure medications are not suitable during pregnancy.
Take-Home Message
- High blood pressure is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease, so it's important to take medication and control it.
- Always take the medicine prescribed by the doctor at the right time and in the right dosage . Don't miss a day.
- Even if you feel better, never stop taking your medication or change the dosage without asking your doctor.
- While taking medication, adopt a healthy, low-salt diet and exercise regularly . Both of these will help control your blood pressure.
- If you have any questions, concerns, or side effects about your medication, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it.
- When taking medication for any other illness, don't forget to tell the doctor that you are taking medication for blood pressure.
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