Have you been diagnosed with high blood pressure or hypertension? A lot of treatment methods are now available for hypertension or high blood pressure. And taking blood pressure tablets is one type of these treatment methods.

Known as the "Silent Killer," hypertension may or may not exhibit symptoms in a person. This makes annual check-ups very important as these could be the key in diagnosing hypertension as early as possible. The common symptoms of hypertension include shortness of breath, dizziness, blurred vision, and headaches. If a person shows any of these symptoms, getting a hypertension diagnosis from a doctor is very important. But for some people, they do not manifest symptoms of hypertension which makes diagnosis rather late. In fact, a diagnosis of hypertension is only made in some people when they are already experiencing its common complications like kidney failure, stroke, or heart attack.

When a person is properly diagnosed with hypertension, blood pressure tablets are prescribed to manage it. Prescription of diuretics is always made since these are considered the first-line of treatment for hypertension. Diuretics lower blood pressure by removing excess salt and water by urination. With regards to side effects, diuretics can cause fever, skin rash, dehydration, muscle cramps, dizziness, extreme tiredness, frequent urination, blurred vision, abnormal heart rate, and others.

Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors are another type of blood pressure tablets that are prescribed for hypertension treatment. Also known as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors treat high blood pressure through dilation of the blood vessels. Through dilation of the blood vessels, there is increased blood flow with less effort being exerted by the heart. The common side effects of ACE inhibitors include salty or metallic taste, fever, sore throat, cough, skin rash, kidney failure, severe vomiting, swelling of face or neck, diarrhea, and a lot more.

Another example of blood pressure tablets are angiotensin II receptor blockers or ARBs. Angiotensin II receptor blockers also increase blood flow by dilating the blood vessels. Through ARBs, the blood flow is increased since angiotensin II, which causes blood vessel constriction, is blocked. With regards to side effects, ARBs can lead to diarrhea, cough, dizziness, confusion, muscle cramps, and others.

Calcium channel blockers are also blood pressure tablets. Calcium channel blockers can block the entry of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels which leads to dilation of blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers have adverse effects which include dry mouth, skin rash, diarrhea, edema, fatigue, nausea, constipation, headache, and others.

Another type of blood pressure tablets is beta-blockers. With the use of these drugs, the heart is able to function using less oxygen and blood because adrenaline is blocked. The common side effects of beta-blockers include edema, fatigue, depression, dizziness, slow heartbeat, and a lot more.

With the use of these blood pressure tablets , hypertension can be treated effectively. But as you can see, there are so many various side effects that come with each drug.