Low-dose thiazide diuretics remain first-line therapy for older patients. Beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers, and calcium channel blockers are second-line medications that should be selected based on comorbidities and risk factors.
While the class of blood pressure-lowering medicines called angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed more commonly, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) work just as well and may cause fewer side effects.
thiazide diuretics (chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide) ACE inhibitors (benazepril, zofenopril, lisinopril, and many others) calcium channel blockers (amlodipine, diltiazem)
Safe medications to use include methyldopa and potentially some diuretics and beta-blockers, including labetalol.
Types of blood pressure medicines
The most common blood pressure medicines are ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers and diuretics. Many people need more than one medicine to bring their high blood pressure under control.
The bottom line
Many medications used in the past to lower blood pressure may not be the best choice for lowering your blood pressure today. The four classes of medications recommended by the most recent guidelines and research are thiazide diuretics, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and calcium channel blockers.
If you have high blood pressure, you may wonder if medication is necessary to bring the numbers down. But lifestyle plays a vital role in treating high blood pressure. Controlling blood pressure with a healthy lifestyle might prevent, delay or reduce the need for medication.
Choice of initial therapy in most patients — The three primary options for antihypertensive drug therapy in most patients include an ACE inhibitor (or ARB), a calcium channel blocker, or a thiazide diuretic (preferably a thiazide-like diuretic) [3].
Magnesium intake of 500 mg/d to 1000 mg/d may reduce blood pressure (BP) as much as 5.6/2.8 mm Hg. However, clinical studies have a wide range of BP reduction, with some showing no change in BP.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors reduce blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels. Common examples are enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril and ramipril.
Elderly blood pressure range for men and women
The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) updated their guidelines in 2017 to recommend men and women who are 65 or older aim for a blood pressure lower than 130/80 mm Hg.
Elevated levels of the nitrosamine impurity N-Nitroso-Quinapril were detected in 20 mg and 40 mg tablets of the drug that were shipped nationwide. The recalled lot numbers are G102929, G100533, G100534, G203071 with expiration dates including April 2023, December 2022 and March 2024.
In addition to considering the effectiveness and potential side effects, they will consider your general health, sex, and age; the severity of your high blood pressure; any additional, underlying medical conditions; and whether there is a reason to avoid any particular drugs.
A new drug called Baxdrostat has been shown to significantly reduce high blood pressure (hypertension) in patients who may not respond to current treatments for the condition, according to results from a phase II trial.
Research on a new drug called Baxdrostat has shown that it can substantially reduce blood pressure in people with treatment-resistant hypertension. The results of the phase 2 trial support the idea that some cases of treatment-resistant hypertension may be caused by the hormone aldosterone.
The two classes of medication are both recommended as "first-line" treatments for high blood pressure: angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs).
Something as simple as keeping yourself hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water every day improves blood pressure. Water makes up 73% of the human heart,¹ so no other liquid is better at controlling blood pressure.
Take it first in the morning before eating or taking any medications. Take it again in the evening. Each time you measure, take two or three readings to make sure your results are the same. Your health care provider might recommend taking your blood pressure at the same times each day.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), and beta blockers are recommended as first-choice medications in some younger adults with high blood pressure. They are all effective at lowering blood pressure, but differ in the ways they work.
Diuretics, or water pills, are used to treat conditions like high blood pressure, glaucoma, and edema, but as with all medications, they come with some risks. Popular diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, and spironolactone. They are associated with a risk for acute kidney injury.
Blood pressure has a daily pattern. Usually, blood pressure starts to rise a few hours before a person wakes up. It continues to rise during the day, peaking in midday. Blood pressure typically drops in the late afternoon and evening.
Elevated blood pressure is defined as a systolic pressure between 120 and 129 with a diastolic pressure of less than 80. High blood pressure is defined as systolic pressure of 130 or higher, or a diastolic pressure of 80 or higher.