Current Treatments For Hypertension

Current Treatments For Hypertension

Numerous recent, large, randomized clinical trials have indicated that treating hypertension in older adults can reduce the risk of kidney disease, stroke, and cardiovascular events.¹⁰ Unfortunately, bringing blood pressure down to healthy levels is easier said than done. Many clinicians start therapy with a mild diuretic (“water pill”) at low doses, then gradually increase doses until either blood pressure is controlled or the maximum dose is reached.¹⁰

 

However, nearly 75% of patients do not get adequate blood pressure control on a single drug, which means a second medication is often necessary.¹¹ This process may continue until a person finds himself or herself on three, four, or more drugs.^2,11,12

 

A frequently prescribed class of antihypertensives used today are the angiotensin II receptor blockers. These drugs block the angiotensin II receptor and often induce more profound and sustained blood pressure control than older classes of medications. However, there are side effect risks associated with angiotensin II receptor blocker drugs. In some individuals, angiotensin II receptor blockers can cause an increase in potassium and changes in kidney function. Also, do not take angiotensin receptor blockers if you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant because this class of medication can cause harm to the fetus. 

One of the most commonly used approaches to treating hypertension involves the combination of two drugs: an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker.^2,3 A large 2013 study demonstrated that for most people, this combination was more effective at reducing cardiovascular consequences of hypertension than using either drug with a diuretic.¹³ This combination also demonstrated the greatest probability of reducing death.¹⁴

 

Here’s how the combination drug therapy works. 

Angiotensin converting enzyme, or ACE, is a natural enzyme in the body that activates the hormone angiotensin, which causes blood vessels to constrict, thus increasing blood pressure.¹⁵ Inhibiting ACE can return blood pressure to lower levels. ACE inhibitors alone, however, are not always entirely effective, which is why doctors often combine them with a second drug called a calcium channel blocker.¹⁶

 

Calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure by a different mechanism than ACE inhibitors. They prevent the entry of calcium ions into muscle cells in the arterial wall. Since calcium ions are a major signal telling those cells to contract and raise muscle tone in the artery, blocking calcium influx into the cells will prevent contraction and lower blood pressure.¹⁷

 

Use of the combination of an ACE inhibitor and a calcium channel blocker has become one of the mainstays of modern pharmacological blood pressure control, since the two drugs act in parallel, but different ways. Unfortunately, as is usually the case, both drugs bring with them side effects.^17,18

Scientists have discovered two natural ingredients that work in ways similar to mainstream drugs, but without the numerous side effects. Olive leaf extract and celery seed extract act as ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers, respectively.^6,7 Each has been shown in clinical studies to lower blood pressure. 

Sources: http://www.lef.org/Magazine/2014/10/Two-Natural-Plant-Extracts-Lower-Blood-Pressure/Page-01