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This leaflet is about medicines that are used to treat high blood pressure. See separate leaflet called High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), which gives more general information about high blood pressure, lifestyle changes that you can do to lower blood pressure, and the reasons why medication is advised to lower blood pressure in some cases.
What is the aim of treatment?
Your doctor or practice nurse will advise on the target blood pressure level to aim for. It can vary from person to person. In general:
For most people aged under 80 years, the usual target is to reduce blood pressure to 140/90 mm Hg or below in the surgery or clinic, or below 135/85 mm Hg when measured at home. For older patients the target may be set slightly higher (less than 150/90 mm Hg in the surgery or clinic, or below 145/85 mm Hg when measured at home).
In some people, the target is to get it below 130/80 mm Hg. For example, if you have a cardiovascular disease such as a stroke or heart disease, if you have certain kidney diseases, and for some people with diabetes.
Which medicines are used to lower blood pressure?
There are five main classes of medicines that are used to lower blood pressure. There are various types and brands of medicine in each class. The following gives a brief overview of each of the classes. However, for detailed information about your own medication you should read the leaflet that comes inside the medicine packet.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
ACE inhibitors work by reducing the amount of a chemical that you make in your bloodstream, called angiotensin II. This chemical tends to narrow (constrict) blood vessels. Therefore, less of this chemical causes the blood vessels to relax and widen, and so the pressure of blood within the blood vessels is reduced.
There are various types and brands of ACE inhibitors: captopril, cilazapril, enalapril, fosinopril, lisinopril, perindopril, quinapril, ramipril, and trandolapril. An ACE inhibitor is particularly useful if you also have heart failure or diabetes. ACE inhibitors should not be taken by people with certain types of kidney problems, people with some types of artery problems, and those who are pregnant. You will need a blood test before starting an ACE inhibitor. This will check that your kidneys are working well. The blood test is repeated within two weeks after starting the medicine, and within two weeks after any increase in dose. Then, a yearly blood test is usual.
Angiotensin receptor blockers
These medicines are sometimes called angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. There are various types and brands: candesartan, eprosartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan, telmisartan and valsartan. They work by blocking the effect of angiotensin II on the blood vessel walls. So, they have a similar effect to ACE inhibitors (described above).
Calcium-channel blockers
Calcium-channel blockers affect the way calcium is used in the blood vessels and heart muscle. This has a relaxing effect on the blood vessels. Again, there are various types and brands: amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, lacidipine, lercanidipine, nicardipine, nifedipine, and verapamil. Calcium-channel blockers can also be used to treat angina.
‘Water’ tablets (diuretics)
Diuretics work by increasing the amount of salt and fluid that you pass out in your urine. This has some effect on reducing the fluid in the circulation, which reduces blood pressure. They may also have a relaxing effect on the blood vessels, which reduces the pressure within the blood vessels. The most commonly used diuretics to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) in the UK are thiazides or thiazide-like diuretics. Examples are bendroflumethiazide, chlortalidone, cyclopenthiazide, and indapamide. Only a low dose of a diuretic is needed to treat high blood pressure. Therefore, you will not notice much diuretic effect (that is, you will not pass much extra urine). You will need a blood test before starting a diuretic, to check that your kidneys are working well. You should also have a blood test within 4-6 weeks of starting treatment with a diuretic, to check that your blood potassium has not been affected. Then, a yearly blood test is usual.
Beta-blockers
Again, there are various types and brands of beta-blockers: acebutolol, atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, oxprenolol, pindolol, propranolol, sotalol, and timolol. They work by slowing the heart rate, and reducing the force of the heart. These actions lower the blood pressure. Beta-blockers are also commonly used to treat angina, and some other conditions. You should not normally take a beta-blocker if you have asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or certain types of heart or blood vessel problems.
What about side-effects?
All medicines have possible side-effects, and no medicine is without risk. However, most people who take medicines to lower blood pressure do not develop any side-effects, or only have mild side-effects. A full list of cautions and possible side-effects is listed on the leaflet inside the medicine packet. The most common ones are:
ACE inhibitors
sometimes cause an irritating cough.
Angiotensin receptor blockers
sometimes cause dizziness.
Calcium-channel blockers
sometimes cause dizziness, facial flushing, swollen ankles, and constipation.
‘Water’ tablets (diuretics)
can cause gout attacks in a small number of users, or can make gout worse if you already have gout. Erection problems (impotence) develop in some users.
Beta-blockers
can cause cool hands and feet, poor sleep, tiredness, and impotence in some users.
If you do develop a side-effect, a different medicine may suit you better. There is a lot of choice so one can usually be found to suit. See your doctor if you develop any problem which you think is due to your medication.
So, which is the best medicine or combination of medicines?
The one or ones chosen may depend on such things as:
Whether you have other medical problems.
Your ethnic origin.
Whether you take other medication.
Possible side-effects.
Your age.
For example:
Beta-blockers and calcium-channel blockers can also treat angina.
ACE inhibitors also treat heart failure.
Some medicines are not suitable if you are pregnant.
Some medicines are thought to be better if you have diabetes.
Some medicines tend to work better than others in people of Afro-Caribbean origin.
If you do not have any other medical problems that warrant a particular medicine then current UK guidelines give the following recommendations as to usual medicines that should be used. These recommendations are based on treatments and combinations of treatments that are likely to give the best control of the blood pressure with the least risk of side-effects or problems.
Treatment is guided by the A/C, A+C, A+C+D approach, where A = ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker; C = calcium channel blocker and D = diuretic. The suggested stepwise approach is as follows:
If you are less than 55 years old and are not of black African or Caribbean origin then your doctor may begin treatment with an ‘A’ (an ACE inhibitor, or an angiotensin receptor blocker if an ACE inhibitor causes problems or side-effects).
If you are 55 years or older, or are of black African or Caribbean origin then your doctor may begin treatment with a ‘C’ (a calcium-
channel blocker).
Then, if your blood pressure has not reached the target your doctor may combine ‘A’ with ‘C’ (an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker plus a calcium-channel blocker).
Then, if your target blood pressure is still not reached, your doctor may combine ‘A’ with ‘C’ and ‘D’ (an ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor blocker, and a calcium-channel blocker, and a diuretic).
If a fourth medicine is needed to achieve the target blood pressure, your doctor may add one of the following:
A beta-blocker
Another ‘water’ tablet (diuretic)
An alpha-blocker
However, individuals can vary. Sometimes, if one medicine does not work so well or causes side-effects, a switch to a different class of medicine may work fine.
How long is medication for high blood pressure needed for?
In most cases, medication is needed for life. However, in some people whose blood pressure has been well-controlled for three years or more, medication may be able to be stopped. In particular, in people who have made significant changes to lifestyle which can affect blood pressure (such as lost a lot of weight, or stopped heavy drinking, etc). Your doctor can advise. If you stop medication, you need regular blood pressure checks. In some cases, the blood pressure remains normal. However, in others it starts to rise again. Medication can then be started again.
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