For patients with hypertension, in order to stabilize blood pressure, in addition to early detection of the disease. The patient also has to take medication. Currently, there are many different types of blood pressure drugs with different indications. Therefore, patients also begin to pay more attention to the side effects of the drug. And one of the most frequently asked questions is whether taking blood pressure medication has physiological effects? Doctor Luong Sy Bac will answer this question through the following article. We invite you to find out now!
High blood pressure and its effects on health
High blood pressure affects all organs in the body. However, hypertension will severely damage several target organs. At the same time, in these organs, the manifestation of hypertension will be earlier and more obvious. Specifically, here are the effects of high blood pressure on your health:first
Effects on blood vessels
High blood pressure increases the pressure in the blood vessels. This long-term can make blood vessels lose elasticity, atherosclerosis. As well as easily leading to complications such as embolism, bleeding due to broken blood vessels, etc. In particular, it is very easy to cause serious complications to important organs in the body such as the brain, heart, kidneys, lungs, etc.
Affects the heart
As mentioned above, high blood pressure is a risk factor for embolism. Meanwhile, the coronary artery that feeds the heart is one of the most susceptible blood vessels. Coronary artery occlusion will cause a heart attack. This dangerous complication can lead to death. In addition, high blood pressure also increases the contractile burden of the heart. This causes hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and, in the long run, leads to heart failure.
Affects the brain
Hypertension is a high risk factor for cerebral hemorrhage and ischemic stroke. High blood pressure weakens blood vessels in the brain causing them to burst. This will cause a brain hemorrhage. In addition, high blood pressure disrupts blood flow to the brain. This is the cause of transient cerebral ischemia, dizziness, and dizziness. More severe can completely block blood circulation, causing cerebral infarction. The effects of high blood pressure on the brain are dangerous and can leave serious sequelae.
Affects the kidneys
High blood pressure increases the glomerular filtration rate. This long-term process damages the kidney filter membrane and blood vessels, causing kidney failure. Notably, high blood pressure causes kidney failure. Meanwhile, kidney failure causes high blood pressure to be difficult to control.
Effects on eyes
High blood pressure damages the retinal blood vessels of the eye. Because it causes hardening of the artery walls. This will interfere with blood circulation in the retina. This process is slow and in the end it can cause vision loss for the patient.
Sexual dysfunction
The arteries in a man’s penis will also be affected by high blood pressure. Specifically, reducing the blood supply to the penis will cause erectile dysfunction. In women, reduced blood flow to the vagina is the cause of vaginal dryness, decreased sex drive, etc.
In addition, to stabilize blood pressure, the patient will have to use medication. However, taking blood pressure medication with physiological effects is not a problem that worries many people. In the next section, the physiological side effects of blood pressure drugs will be discussed in more detail.
Effects on pregnancy
High blood pressure increases a pregnant woman’s risk of health problems. Conditions such as preeclampsia, placental abruption, and intrauterine growth restriction are all associated with high blood pressure. Therefore, mothers should prepare health as well as pregnancy plan well before deciding to get pregnant.
See more: Gestational hypertension: Issues to be concerned about during pregnancy
Affects sleep
High blood pressure and sleep are linked. High blood pressure causes headaches, dizziness, and difficulty sleeping. Accompanied by effects such as nocturia, sleep apnea syndrome, … These are all symptoms that can cause insomnia. Meanwhile, if the quality of sleep is not good, it is difficult to control blood pressure.
Methods to treat high blood pressure
If hypertension has been diagnosed and indicated, blood pressure medication must be taken. As for the side effects and whether taking blood pressure medication has physiological effects. The doctor will solve it by basing on the condition of each patient to choose a regimen.
Non-drug treatment2
Building a healthy lifestyle plays an important role in the treatment of high blood pressure. Some good habits patients can apply:
- Have a healthy diet: Eat a lot of vegetables, variety of foods in the menu, use less salt, etc. Limit the use of fatty foods.
- Exercise regularly, moderately.
- Proper weight control.
- Do not drink alcohol or smoke.
- Good control of other diseases.
- Regularly monitor your blood pressure at home, record it and report it to your doctor.
See more: Diet for people with high blood pressure: How reasonable?
Drug treatment2
Currently, blood pressure drugs are very diverse with many different indications, suitable for each patient. However, patients should not self-medicate but must follow the doctor’s orders. Because taking the wrong medicine can only cause more harm.
Does taking blood pressure medication have physiological effects?
Effects of blood pressure drugs on physiology
Blood pressure medications directly affect the vascular system in the body. In particular, one effect is to reduce blood pressure in the genital organs. Therefore, physiological ability will be somewhat affected. The two classes of drugs that are most likely to interfere are: beta-blockers and thiazide diuretics.3 4
Group of beta-blockers
The group of beta-blockers includes: metoprosol, atenolol, bisoprolol, propranolol,… These are commonly used drugs.
They have a direct effect on the vascular system, inhibiting sympathetic activity, lowering blood pressure and reducing heart rate. This causes contraction of the smooth muscle of the penile corpus cavernosum. This reduces blood flow to the penis. Leads to difficulty getting an erection or worse, not being able to get an erection.
The two most common manifestations when using this group of drugs are decreased libido and ejaculation disorders. The drug propranolol alone is the cause of morning erections.
Thiazide diuretics
Thiazide diuretics include: chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, indapamide, metolazone, chlorthalidone, etc. The main effect of the drug is to eliminate salt and water from the body to lower blood pressure. However, it also causes hypokalemia. This is the main cause of erectile dysfunction, inability to get an erection or get an erection but not hard.
Other effects of blood pressure medication
Most classes of antihypertensive drugs are easy to use. However, there are often certain side effects. One of them can be mentioned as:5
- The group of calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure with side effects such as headache, ankle swelling and constipation.
- Common side effects of ACE inhibitors include: persistent dry cough, headache, dizziness, and rash.
- Diuretics can have side effects such as: dizziness when changing positions, feeling thirsty, frequent bowel movements, and rashes. Besides, long-term use will cause electrolyte disturbances such as hyponatremia, hypokalemia.
- Beta blockers also have other side effects such as dizziness, headache, fatigue and cold hands and feet.
Note when using blood pressure medicine
After understanding whether taking blood pressure medication has physiological effects. The next thing patients need to pay attention to is how to take the medication safely. This is to contribute to the effectiveness of the treatment of hypertension. Specifically, patients should note the following:2 3 4
- Use antihypertensive drugs only when prescribed by your doctor.
- Use the correct dose of medication as prescribed.
- Regular check-ups according to the doctor’s appointment.
- Notify your doctor if you experience any unusual symptoms after taking the medicine.
- When going to the doctor, you should carry a notebook, or information about the drugs you are taking to avoid drug interactions.
See more: Doctor instructs to take antihypertensive drugs properly and effectively
Hope the above article has answered your question Does taking blood pressure medication have any physiological effects? The answer is that this depends on the cooperation between the doctor and the patient. Because blood pressure drugs are very diverse and have many different indications and side effects. In addition, adherence to treatment and building a healthy lifestyle also help the treatment of hypertension to be highly effective.
John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.
