Beta-blockers as high blood pressure medicine
How beta-blockers work
Beta-blockers work by blocking the action of noradrenaline at special sites (receptors) in arteries and the heart muscle. Noradrenaline is a chemical that transmits messages between nerves and muscles, or between one set of nerves and another. By blocking its action, beta-blockers can cause arteries to widen and can slow the action of the heart and decrease its force of contraction. This results in a fall in blood pressure and reduced work by the heart.
Beta-blockers are used to lower high blood pressure, relieve angina (chest pain), correct arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), reduce the risk of dying after a heart attack and treat heart failure.
Some beta-blockers are used to prevent migraine, some can reduce physical symptoms associated with anxiety, such as palpitations and shaking, and some are used for relief of symptoms associated with hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). There are also eye drops containing certain beta-blockers that are used to treat glaucoma, an eye condition caused by a build-up of pressure due to reduced drainage of fluid from the eye, which can result in blindness.
The most common Side effects with beta-blockers are cold hands and feet, tiredness and sleep disturbance (nightmares). Less common side effects include, impotence, dizziness, wheezing, digestive tract problems, skin rashes and dry eyes.
Interactions with other medicines
Do not take any other high blood pressure medicines or herbal remedies with a beta-blocker, including those you have bought without a prescription, before talking to your doctor or pharmacist. THis is because:
anaesthetics, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and other blood pressure-lowering drugs can increase the blood pressure-lowering effects of beta-blockers drugs that affect the heart's rhythm - antiarrhythmics - can increase the heart slowing effects of beta-blockers
certain cough and cold remedies and appetite suppressants can cause high blood pressure if taken with a beta-blocker
Common beta-blockers
Beta-blocker medications include:
Acebutolol (Sectral)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Betaxolol hydrochloride (Kerlone, Betoptic)
Bisoprolol fumarate ( Cardicor, Monocor)
Carteolol hydrochloride (Teoptic)
Carvedilol (Eucardic)
Celiprolol hydrochloride (Celectol)
Esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc)
Labetalol hydrochloride (Trandate)
Levobunolol
Metoprolol tartrate (Betaloc, Lopresor)
Metipranolol
Nadolol (Corgard)
Nebivolol (Nebilet)
Oxprenolol hydrochloride (Trasicor)
Pindolol (Visken)
Propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal)
Sotalol hydrochloride (Beta-cardone)
Timolol maleate (Betim, Timoptol)
For more information about lifestyle measures for preventing and treating high blood pressure, visit www.natural-high-blood-pressure-treatment.com
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