According to the ‘2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey’, the prevalence of hypertension in Korea is regarding 28% in adults over 30 and 48% in over 60, showing a tendency to increase with age. If high blood pressure is not controlled, it can cause complications in the heart, brain, and kidneys, so it is important to measure blood pressure regularly and manage it properly even if there are no specific symptoms.
Hypertension is difficult to resolve spontaneously or to be cured, so most of it must be treated with drugs. Hidak Gastroenterology Consulting Doctor Woncheol Kim, Director(Cheongdam Best Internal Medicine Clinic) explained, “There is a myth that once you start taking blood pressure medications, you have to take them for the rest of your life.
Q. Do different types of high blood pressure medications work differently in the body?
Depending on the mode of action, antihypertensive drugs ▲ lower blood pressure due to diuretic action (promoting water excretion) ▲ sympathetic nerve block (vasoconstriction, blocking neurotransmitters that increase heart rate) ▲ blocking calcium channels (blocking calcium channels in the heart cell membrane) vasodilation) ▲Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition (inhibiting the production of vasoconstrictors) ▲Angiotensin II receptor blocking drugs, etc.
For reference, recently, a combination drug composed of ingredients with various methods of action has been developed for patients whose blood pressure cannot be controlled with only one drug.
Q. Are there any side effects of blood pressure medication?
All drugs are difficult to rule out the risk of side effects. However, most of the side effects of blood pressure medications are not severe. Depending on the type of antihypertensive drug, calcium channel blockers may cause side effects such as edema or hot flashes, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors may cause dry cough, and angiotensin II receptor blockers may cause indigestion, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. If side effects occur, it is necessary to adjust the dose or change to another ingredient following consulting with your doctor to take the appropriate medicine. It is important not to arbitrarily stop if side effects are suspected.
Q. How should I take blood pressure medication?
It is recommended to consult a doctor at appropriate intervals for 3 to 4 months following starting hypertension treatment to check the effects and side effects of the drug.
Antihypertensive medications should be taken on time. If the time for taking the dose has passed, you should take it as soon as you recognize it, but if the next dose is near, you can take it at that time. Even if you miss the time, be sure to take only one dose and never increase the dose. It is recommended to take in the morning, as diuretic antihypertensive medications can be inconvenient if taken at night, such as disturbing sleep due to their diuretic effect.
Q. Should I stop taking my high blood pressure medication if I am pregnant?
If high blood pressure occurs during pregnancy, it can be dangerous for both the pregnant woman and the fetus. However, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers are prohibited during pregnancy, so pregnant women should consult with their doctor.
Q. Who needs caution when taking high blood pressure medications?
Patients with angioedema should not take angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers, and patients with asthma or severe bradycardia should not take beta-blockers among sympathetic blockers. Patients with electrolyte abnormalities such as hypokalemia and gout patients need to be cautious regarding taking diuretic antihypertensive drugs, so be sure to inform their doctor.
Q. Are there any foods I should avoid while taking high blood pressure medication?
As the amount of salt intake increases, blood pressure may increase, so it is recommended to consume foods high in salt, such as kimchi, stew, soup, salted fish, and ramen in moderation.
Hypertensive drugs with diuretic action, such as ‘hydrochlorothiazide’ and ‘furosemide’, may cause hypokalemia. When taking these drugs, it is helpful to eat fruits such as oranges, bananas, and raisins that contain a lot of potassium, or green-yellow vegetables such as carrots and spinach.
Conversely, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors such as ‘spironolactone’ and ‘captopril’ and angiotensin II receptor blockers such as ‘losartan’ and ‘olmesartan’ can increase the potassium concentration in the body. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid potassium supplements or the aforementioned potassium-rich foods.
Grapefruit increases calcium channel blocking action. Therefore, if you are taking a high blood pressure medication that blocks calcium channels, you should be careful not to drink grapefruit or grapefruit juice within 1 hour before or 2 hours following taking the medication.
Help = Hidak Consulting Doctor Woncheol Kim (Cheongdam Best Internal Medicine Clinic Gastroenterology Specialist)
