Stress Management

Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)

Blood Pressure Medications

Alpha-beta Blockers

Alpha-beta blockers work the same way as alpha blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels and the blood pressure goes down.

Angiotensin Antagonists

Angiotensin antagonists are a new type of high blood pressure drug. They shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down.

Peripheral Adrenergic Antagonists

These drugs, which are among some of the older hypertensive medications, inhibit the release of or block the effect of adrenaline. This results in dilation of the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow easily.

Example: reserpine (Serpasil).

The major drawback of these medications is their sedating effect.

Nervous System Inhibitors

Nervous system inhibitors relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. This causes the blood vessels to become wider and the blood pressure to go down.

Vasodilators

Vasodilators directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down.

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