did you know that the very medications meant to protect you could actually put you at risk in this video we're exposing the hidden dangers of common hypertension drugs that big farmer doesn't want you to know we'll also cover which blood pressure medications are generally safest and provide the most benefit by the end you'll have the knowledge you need for an informed discussion with your healthcare provider to ask the right question questions and get the life you deserve stay tuned until the end where we'll also reveal natural ways to lower blood pressure feel better and potentially
reduce your need for risky medications because a little strategy goes a long way but first an important disclaimer you should not stop taking your blood pressure medications based on what you learn in this video alone skipping medications can trigger bound hypertension sending blood pressure to dangerous levels always consult a medical doctor before making any changes to your medication regimen okay first up Central agonists Central agonists are one of the higher risk medications common forms include clonidine and immediate release guanine they're not often used as firstline treatments for hypertension meaning most doctors should consider other medications
first if other medications aren't working or are causing serious side effects doctors May progress to Central agonists these work by tricking the brain dampening your sympathetic nervous system it's this system that's triggered in the fight or flight response when your brain senses danger like the classic example of a lion chasing a caveman or your body is in a state of stress the sympathetic nervous system responds your brain tells your heart to speed up increases pressure to send blood pumping to your muscles and even dilates your pupils all so you can respond to Danger with lightning
speed Central agonists artificially turn down the volume of this response blocking nerve signals in order to slow down your heart and relax blood vessels ultimately lowering blood pressure it's an amazing piece of chemistry but there can be serious side effects common problems with Central agonists include depression or braad cardia when your heart beats slower than it should like other medications we'll discuss Central agonists can also cause fatigue constipation diarrhea nausea dry mouth impotence trouble sleeping and fluid retention rare but very serious side effects include hepatic necrosis and hemolytic anemia a death of liver cells and
the death of red blood cells it's also important to note that just as with other drugs rebound hypertension happens when these medications are stopped and can even happen if you miss a single day leading to a sudden increase in blood pressure so be sure to follow the exact instructions with this and any other medication and don't think it's okay to skip the odd day on that note it's important to be prepared make sure you have enough to last through long weekends or holidays as well as unexpected interruptions like natural disasters a basic emergency kit is
key as we discussed Central agonists aren't generally recommended as a firstline treatment so if you've been put on a central Agonist without trying other medications first it may warrant a conversation with your doctor or seeking a second opinion that said there may be a specific reason why you've been prescribed it be careful with over-the-counter medicines and even herbal supplements as they can interfere with blood pressure medication so have a discussion with your doctor before starting any supplement if you've been told to split your dose throughout the day make sure to follow this advice as this
can significantly reduce side effects and if you're having any medical procedure including dental surgery make sure to tell them what medications you're taking next alpha blockers includes drugs like doxazosin praisin and terazosin these work by blocking Alpha adrenergic receptors in the body which reduces the constriction of blood vessels and allows for better circulation alpha blockers are often used for high blood pressure patients who also have prostate enlargement this is because in addition to lowering blood pressure these medications also relax muscle fibers in the prostate unfortunately alpha blockers can trigger a sudden severe drop in blood
pressure when you stand up studies show that these patients have significantly increased risks of falling and requiring emergency room care yet some doctors downplay this risk this commonly occurs after the first dose when increasing dosage which is why it's often recommended to take the first dose at bedtime other potential side effects of alpha blockers include heart palpitations weakness nasal congestion and headaches patients may also experience drowsiness so it's important to understand how these medications affect you before driving or operating heavy machinery less common problem include blurry vision shortness of breath and excess sweating some men
experience a painful erection which is a serious symptom that requires immediate medical attention if you're taking an alpha blocker it's important to communicate openly about any side effects so that your treatment plan can be adjusted and again inform your healthcare provider about any over-the-counter drugs or supplements to avoid potential Interac actions consider taking up taiichi yoga dancing or another exercise that improves balance which can significantly reduce the risk of Falls shortly we'll cover more tips that every person with hypertension should know but first vasodilators like hydraline and minoxidil Target the smooth muscle cells in the
walls of arteries and veins directly causing them to relax what most people don't realize about bzo dilators is that they shouldn't really be used as a firstline option for most people they should only be used if you don't respond well to other treatments as well as in emergency situations they can cause tacac cardia a rapid increase in heart rate as well as intense joint pain and commonly cause headaches dizziness and swelling in the legs and feet which can require even more medication hydrazine has a relatively short halflife this means you may need to take it
multiple times per day if you are told to do this it's important to follow those instructions as failing to do so could lead to unstable blood pressure and increased side effects the alarming truth is that vasod dilators can be significantly more problematic than some of the other medications we'll discuss in a moment so if you're doctor hasn't tried any alternatives beforehand or explained why you need this specific medication it may be worth up a follow-up conversation next Loop Diuretics like feride bumetanide and torside are often used when fluid retention is a problem they target the
kidney effectively increasing urine production this reduces fluid volume which in turn lowers blood pressure the rapid loss of fluid can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances notably in sodium potassium and magnesium levels this can have significant repercussions including cramping extreme fatigue confusion and nausea Beyond natural approaches we'll discuss shortly some people on Loop Diuretics may be prescribed supplements or additional medications to correct this imbalance hearing damage is a concern with Loop Diuretics especially for people with kidney dysfunction less commonly Loop Diuretics may lead to issues with the liver and pancreas as well as sudden cardiac
arrhythmias other common side effects include sensitivity to sunlight increased triglyceride levels and dizziness as well as waking up to pee more frequently during the night it's important to note that diuretics as well as our next drug can also be a problem for hyper glycemia they interfere with insulin function increasing the risk of high blood sugar so if you have diabetes or are at risk for high blood sugar talk to your doctor about Alternatives whether you're diagnosed with diabetes or not it's a good idea to keep an eye on your blood sugar levels because an estimated
38% of adults in the US are considered pre-diabetic many without knowing it at number four beta blockers such as Atenolol metoprolol and Propranolol function by blocking beta adrenergic receptors in blood vessels this action slows the heart rate and reduces the force of heart contractions effectively lowering blood pressure they are fairly well tolerated and are some of the most widely used medications for blood pressure preventing recurrent heart attacks treating angina as well as being used for glaucoma however beta blockers are not without their challenges they can lead to fatigue cold hands and feet and particularly vivid
dreams or nightmares some men also experience erectile dysfunction when taking beta blockers they can also contribute to blurred vision dizziness and depression in rare cases while beta blockers are still widely used especially in patients with angina or chronic heart failure they are no longer the preferred choice for most people as a firstline treatment that's mainly because other medications we'll discuss next tend to be more effective at preventing heart attack and stroke coming up we'll share which blood pressure medications are least likely to cause serious side effects but first sitting around the middle for safety are
calcium channel blockers these drugs are often used as part of a firstline treatment calcium channel blockers inhibit the movement of calcium into artery walls they can be particularly effective in elderly patients and side effects tend to be less common that said some people do experience swelling in the feet and lower legs dizziness headache and palpitations although these tend to be mild and diminish over time as your body adjusts to the medication it's important to note that calcium channel blockers can interact with grapefruit leading to increased levels of the medication in the bloodstream and potentially raising
the risk of side effects so it's best to stay away from grapefruit or even better go for lifestyle changes that may help you enjoy Delicious Fruit have more energy and potentially less Reliance on medication next ACE inhibitors such as linel enel and Ramel tend to be fairly well tolerated ACE inhibitors are particularly effective in patients with diabetes chronic kidney disease and heart heart failure however they can cause a persistent dry cough for some people and are associated with a risk of angioedema a rare but serious swelling of the deeper layers of the skin stay tuned
because next we'll reveal simple lifestyle changes that can dramatically lower blood pressure but first the medication class that tends to be the best tolerated arbs are generally considered the safest option with the least side effects these include azil Satan candas Satan artan and MMA sartan of course just like any medication there can be side effects with arbs including headache fatigue back pain leg swelling and in rare cases liver failure or irregular heartbeat these problems are less common with arbs then the others we discussed but it does drive home the points that preventing high blood pressure
in the first place or reducing hypertension through lifestyle factors is always the best route so what can make a difference regular physical activity is vital whether it be something gentle like walking Tai Chi dancing or swimming exercise within your capabilities and talk to a trusted professional before starting a new exercise regime exercise strengthens the heart enabling it to pump blood more efficiently thus reducing pressure on your arteries after all blood pressure goes up in order to pump blood around your body and artificially reducing it with medication isn't ideal Stress Management is one that people Overlook
or struggle to keep up with in the modern world chronic stress contributes to elevated blood pressure in very tangible evolutionary ways techniques such as mindfulness meditation deep breathing exercises and yoga can help reduce stress as well as ticking your exercise boxes slightly more challenging try to address external stresses if you can 10% Improvement can make a big difference it's imperative to regularly monitor your blood pressure as you adopt any changes if your blood pressure improves your healthc care professional May adjust your medication dosage to avoid the risk of hypertension or low blood pressure due to
medication great news quality sleep is equally important because poor sleep is extremely damaging for blood pressure stress energy production Cravings hormones brain fog digestion and heart health watch our video on sleep rins for more on that both alcohol and tobacco raise blood pressure and negate the effects of hypertension medications so limiting them is key weight management plays a significant role so if you're overweight even a modest weight loss can help and the importance of hydration cannot be overstated drinking plenty of water helps to keep your vascular system in Balance finally a heart healthy diet is
a Cornerstone Stone of blood pressure management so focus on Whole Foods especially vegetables legumes antioxidant Rich fruits and quality proteins certain foods stand out more than others so watch our video on 15 powerful foods to lower blood pressure and for that sleep routine we discussed check out the video on seven proven tips to beat heart disease we'll leave a link to that in the description or click the image on screen if you found this information useful click the like button and click subscribe to see more practical heart health videos as we release [Music] them
