The ups and downs of high and low blood pressure

ACE inhibitors: ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme, which prevents the formation of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes narrowing of blood vessels.

Angiotensin antagonists: This drug shields against angiotensin II and makes vessels wider, lowering .pressure.

Calcium channel blockers: CCB's prevent calcium in the muscle cells of blood vessels and the heart, causing the vessels to relax.

Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses, allowing blood through more easily.

Alpha-beta-blockers: They work the same as alpha-blockers but simultaneously slow the heartbeat, as beta blockers do.

Nervous system inhibitors: Nervous system inhibitors control nerve impulses, allowing vessels to widen.

Vasodilators: These relax and open up the muscle in the vessel wall.

Prevention is still your responsibility, and whether or not you take high blood pressure medicine, your body and blood pressure will benefit if you quit smoking, limit alcohol, get physically active, maintain a healthy weight, reduce salt & sodium in your diet, and eat healthy.

WHAT ABOUT LOW BLOOD PRESSURE?

We all want lower, healthier blood pressure readings Ð but how low is too low? The numbers aren't as important as how you feel.

If you get up from sitting in a chair you may experience a slight dizziness for a few seconds. If it lasts several minutes, you may have a problem with low blood pressure. Blood pressure that's too low can cause light-headedness, even fainting. Elderly people often fall as a result of low blood pressure, causing serious injury.

Unlike high blood pressure, low blood pressure or hypotension usually has some symptoms. Besides light-headed feelings or fainting, you could experience lack of concentration, blurred vision, nausea, cold and clammy skin, unusual thirst, depression and fatigue.

Sometimes high blood pressure medication, or combinations of drugs, can cause your blood pressure to drop too low too fast. Or hypotension can be symptomatic of a number of physical conditions like an underactive or overactive thyroid, anemia or low blood sugar.