High Blood Pressure Treatment (cont.)
Medical Author:
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP
John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEPJohn P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey. Medical Editor:
Jay W. Marks, MD
Jay W. Marks, MDJay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. In this Article
 Treatment with combinations of drugs for high blood pressureThe use of combination drug therapy for hypertension is common. At times, using smaller amounts of one or more drugs in combination can minimize side effects while maximizing the anti-hypertensive effect. For example, diuretics, which also can be used alone, are more often used in a low dose in combination with another class of antihypertensive medications. This way, the diuretic has fewer side effects while improving the blood pressure-lowering effect of the other drug. Diuretics also are added to other antihypertensive medications when a patient with hypertension has fluid retention and swelling (edema). ACE inhibitors or ARBs may be useful in combination with most other antihypertensive medications. The effects of these drugs are additive, meaning that a combination of drugs from each category is more effective than either drug alone in treating patients with cardiomyopathies and proteinuria. Another useful combination is that of a beta blocker with an alpha blocker in patients with high blood pressure and enlargement of the prostate gland in order to treat both conditions simultaneously. Caution is necessary when combining two drugs that both lower the heart rate. For example, patients receiving a combination of a beta blocker to a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker (for example, diltiazem [Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac] or verapamil [Calan, Verelan, Isoptin, Covera-HS]) need to be monitored carefully to avoid an excessively slow heart rate (bradycardia). Combining alpha and beta blockers such as carvedilol (Coreg) and labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate) is useful for cardiomyopathies and for hypertension patients. Reviewed by Jay W. Marks, MD on 10/11/2012 Patient CommentsViewers share their comments
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Experience
Question: What kinds of treatments have been effective for your high blood pressure?
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Alternative Medicine
Question: Describe any alternative or complementary medicine you use to treat your high blood pressure.
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Smoking
Question: Are you a smoker or former smoker undergoing treatment for high blood pressure? After diagnosis, did you quit smoking?
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Alcohol
Question: Do you have hypertension and also drink alcohol? Have you cut back since receiving a diagnosis?
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Coffee and Caffeine
Question: In what ways do coffee and other caffeinated beverages affect your blood pressure?
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Medications
Question: What medications and other types of treatment do you receive for hypertension?
High Blood Pressure Treatment - Diet
Question: Did you add or eliminate certain foods from your diet to control your high blood pressure? Did it help?
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