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Hypertension

What is blood pressure?

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. Each time your heart beats, it pumps blood into the arteries. Your blood pressure is highest when your heart beats, pumping the blood. This is called systolic pressure. When your heart is at rest, between beats, your blood pressure falls. This is called diastolic pressure.

Your blood pressure reading uses these two numbers. Usually the systolic number comes before or above the diastolic number. For example, 120/80 means a systolic of 120 and a diastolic of 80.

How is high blood pressure diagnosed?

High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. So the only way to find out if you have it is to get regular blood pressure checks from your health care provider. Your provider will use a gauge, a stethoscope or electronic sensor, and a blood pressure cuff. He or she will take two or more readings at separate appointments before making a diagnosis.

Blood Pressure CategorySystolic Blood PressureDiastolic Blood PressureNormalLess than 120andLess than 80High Blood Pressure (no other heart risk factors)140 or higheror90 or higherHigh Blood Pressure (with other heart risk factors, according to some providers)130 or higheror80 or higherDangerously high blood pressure - seek medical care right away180 or higherand120 or higher

For children and teens, the health care provider compares the blood pressure reading to what is normal for other kids who are the same age, height, and sex.

What are the different types of high blood pressure?

There are two main types of high blood pressure: primary and secondary high blood pressure.:

  • Primary, or essential, high blood pressure is the most common type of high blood pressure. For most people who get this kind of blood pressure, it develops over time as you get older.
  • Secondary high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition or use of certain medicines. It usually gets better after you treat that condition or stop taking the medicines that are causing it.
Why do I need to worry about high blood pressure?

When your blood pressure stays high over time, it causes the heart to pump harder and work overtime, possibly leading to serious health problems such as heart attack, stroke, heart failure, and kidney failure.

What are the treatments for high blood pressure?

Treatments for high blood pressure include heart-healthy lifestyle changes and medicines.

You will work with your provider to come up with a treatment plan. It may include only the lifestyle changes. These changes, such as heart-healthy eating and exercise, can be very effective. But sometimes the changes do not control or lower your high blood pressure. Then you may need to take medicine. There are different types of blood pressure medicines. Some people need to take more than one type.

If your high blood pressure is caused by another medical condition or medicine, treating that condition or stopping the medicine may lower your blood pressure.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Hypertension FDA Approved Drugs

ADCIRCA [TadalafilC22H19N3O4]
RX
-
20mg (oral tablet)
Eli Lilly CoMay 22, 2009
  • Treatment of pulmonary hypertension.
efficacy
5.0  (2)
side effects
2.0  (1)
danger
3.0  (2)

UNK

ALPHAGAN P [Brimonidine TartrateC11H10BrN5C4H6O6]
RX
-
0.1% (ophthalmic solution/drops)
0.15% (ophthalmic solution/drops)
AllerganAug 19, 2005
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
efficacy
5.0  (1)
side effects
2.0  (1)
danger
2.0  (1)

UNK

BYSTOLIC [Nebivolol HydrochlorideC22H25F2NO4ClH]
RX
-
eq 10mg base (oral tablet)
eq 2.5mg base (oral tablet)
eq 20mg base (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base (oral tablet)
Forest LabsDec 17, 2007
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

BYVALSON [Nebivolol HydrochlorideC22H25F2NO4ClH : ValsartanC24H29N5O3]
RX
-
eq 5mg base : 80mg (oral tablet)
Forest Labs LlcJun 3, 2016
  • Method of treating hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

CADUET [Amlodipine BesylateC20H25ClN2O5C6H6O3S : Atorvastatin Calcium]
RX
-
eq 10mg base : eq 10mg base (oral tablet)
eq 10mg base : eq 20mg base (oral tablet)
eq 10mg base : eq 40mg base (oral tablet)
eq 10mg base : eq 80mg base (oral tablet)
eq 2.5mg base : eq 10mg base (oral tablet)
eq 2.5mg base : eq 20mg base (oral tablet)
eq 2.5mg base : eq 40mg base (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : eq 10mg base (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : eq 20mg base (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : eq 40mg base (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : eq 80mg base (oral tablet)
PfizerJan 30, 2004
  • Treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia with a single composition.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

CARDIZEM LA [Diltiazem HydrochlorideC22H26N2O4SClH]
RX
-
120mg (oral tablet, extended release)
180mg (oral tablet, extended release)
240mg (oral tablet, extended release)
300mg (oral tablet, extended release)
360mg (oral tablet, extended release)
420mg (oral tablet, extended release)
Valeant IntlFeb 6, 2003
  • Treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

COMBIGAN [Brimonidine TartrateC11H10BrN5C4H6O6 : Timolol MaleateC13H24N4O3SC4H4O4]
RX
-
0.2% : eq 0.5% base (ophthalmic solution/drops)
AllerganOct 30, 2007
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (iop) in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension who require adjunctive or replacement therapy due to inadequately controlled iop. dose is one drop of combigan in the affected eye twice daily.
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension who require adjunctive or replacement therapy due to inadequately controlled iop.
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure.
  • Reduction of intraocular pressure in patients with elevated intraocular pressure or glaucoma.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

COREG CR [Carvedilol Phosphate2C24H26N2O4H2O2H3O4P]
RX
-
10mg (oral capsule, extended release)
20mg (oral capsule, extended release)
40mg (oral capsule, extended release)
80mg (oral capsule, extended release)
Smithkline BeechamOct 20, 2006
  • Treatment of congestive heart failure.
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

DIOVAN [ValsartanC24H29N5O3]
RX
-
160mg (oral tablet)
320mg (oral tablet)
40mg (oral tablet)
80mg (oral tablet)
NovartisJul 18, 2001
  • Treatment of hypertension.
  • Use of valsartan to reduce cardiovascular mortality in clinically stable patients with left ventricular failure or left ventricular dysfunction following myocardial infarction.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

DIOVAN HCT [HydrochlorothiazideC7H8ClN3O4S2 : ValsartanC24H29N5O3]
RX
-
12.5mg : 160mg (oral tablet)
12.5mg : 320mg (oral tablet)
12.5mg : 80mg (oral tablet)
25mg : 160mg (oral tablet)
25mg : 320mg (oral tablet)
NovartisMar 6, 1998
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

EDARBI [Azilsartan KamedoxomilC30H23N4O8K]
RX
-
eq 40mg medoxomil (oral tablet)
eq 80mg medoxomil (oral tablet)
Arbor Pharms LlcFeb 25, 2011
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

EDARBYCLOR [Azilsartan KamedoxomilC30H23N4O8K : ChlorthalidoneC14H11ClN2O4S]
RX
-
eq 40mg medoxomil : 12.5mg (oral tablet)
eq 40mg medoxomil : 25mg (oral tablet)
Arbor Pharms LlcDec 20, 2011
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

EPANED KIT [Enalapril MaleateC20H28N2O5C4H4O4]
RX
-
1mg/ml (oral for solution)
Silvergate PharmsAug 13, 2013
  • Method of treating hypertension.
  • Method of treating left ventricular dysfunction.
  • Method of treatment of heart failure.
  • Treatment of heart failure.
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

EXFORGE [Amlodipine BesylateC20H25ClN2O5C6H6O3S : ValsartanC24H29N5O3]
RX
-
eq 10mg base : 160mg (oral tablet)
eq 10mg base : 320mg (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : 160mg (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : 320mg (oral tablet)
NovartisJun 20, 2007
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

EXFORGE HCT [Amlodipine BesylateC20H25ClN2O5C6H6O3S : HydrochlorothiazideC7H8ClN3O4S2 : ValsartanC24H29N5O3]
RX
-
10mg : 12.5mg : 160mg (oral tablet)
10mg : 25mg : 160mg (oral tablet)
10mg : 25mg : 320mg (oral tablet)
5mg : 12.5mg : 160mg (oral tablet)
5mg : 25mg : 160mg (oral tablet)
NovartisApr 30, 2009
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

INSPRA [EplerenoneC24H30O6]
RX
-
25mg (oral tablet)
50mg (oral tablet)
Gd Searle LlcSep 27, 2002
  • Treatment of conditions for which an aldosterone receptor blocker is indicated, such as hypertension, heart failure, and post-myocardial infarction.
  • Treatment of conditions related to hyperaldosteronism such as hypertension and cardiac insufficiency, with eplerenone.
  • Treatment of hypertension.
  • Use of eplerenone in combination with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ace) inhibitor (and optionally a diuretic) for treating congestive heart failure and hypertension.
  • Use of eplerenone in combination with an angiotensin converting enzyme (ace) inhibitor for treating hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

LETAIRIS [AmbrisentanC22H22N2O4]
RX
-
10mg (oral tablet)
5mg (oral tablet)
GileadJun 15, 2007
  • For the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah) in combination with tadalafil, wherein the weight ratio of ambrisentan to tadalafil is about 1:2 to about 1:3.
  • For the treatment of pulmonary hypertension (pah) in combination with tadalafil.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

LOTREL [Amlodipine BesylateC20H25ClN2O5C6H6O3S : Benazepril HydrochlorideC24H28N2O5ClH]
RX
-
eq 10mg base : 20mg (oral capsule)
eq 10mg base : 40mg (oral capsule)
eq 2.5mg base : 10mg (oral capsule)
eq 5mg base : 10mg (oral capsule)
eq 5mg base : 20mg (oral capsule)
eq 5mg base : 40mg (oral capsule)
NovartisJun 20, 2002
  • Method of treating hypertension.
  • Treatment of cardiovascular disorders.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

LUMIGAN [BimatoprostC25H37NO4]
RX
-
0.01% (ophthalmic solution/drops)
AllerganAug 31, 2010
  • A method of lowering intraocular pressure in a patient with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
  • A method of lowering intraocular pressure.
  • A method of reducing intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
  • A method of treating a patient with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
  • Method of treating glaucoma in a patient.
  • Method of treating glaucoma or elevated intraocular pressure.
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

OPSUMIT [MacitentanC19H20Br2N6O4S]
RX
-
10mg (oral tablet)
Actelion Pharms LtdOct 18, 2013
  • Method of treating pulmonary arterial hypertension by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising macitentan and a polysorbate, wherein the polysorbate represents 0.1 to 3% of the weight of said pharmaceutical composition.
  • Method of treating pulmonary arterial hypertension by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising macitentan and a polysorbate, wherin the polysorbate represents 0.1 to 1% of the weight of said pharmaceutical composition.
  • Method of treating pulmonary hypertension comprising administering macitentan in combination with a compound having phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitory properties.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

ORENITRAM [Treprostinil DiolamineC23H34O5C4H11NO2]
RX
-
eq 0.125mg base (oral tablet, extended release)
eq 0.25mg base (oral tablet, extended release)
eq 1mg base (oral tablet, extended release)
eq 2.5mg base (oral tablet, extended release)
eq 5mg base (oral tablet, extended release)
United TherapDec 20, 2013
  • Method of treating pulmonary hypertension by orally administering a formulation of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of treprostinil.
  • Use of orenitram for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (pah) (who group 1)..
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

PRESTALIA [Amlodipine BesylateC20H25ClN2O5C6H6O3S : Perindopril ArginineC19H32N2O5C6H14N4O2]
RX
-
eq 10mg base : 14mg (oral tablet)
eq 2.5mg base : 3.5mg (oral tablet)
eq 5mg base : 7mg (oral tablet)
Symplmed Pharms LlcJan 21, 2015
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

QBRELIS [LisinoprilC21H31N3O52H2O]
RX
-
1mg/ml (oral solution)
Silvergate PharmsJul 29, 2016
  • Acute myocardial infarction.
  • Method of treating hypertension.
  • Method of treatment of heart failure.
  • Reduction of mortality in acute mycardial infarction.
  • Treatment of heart failure.
  • Treatment of hypertension.
  • Treatment of myocardial infarction.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

SIMBRINZA [Brimonidine TartrateC11H10BrN5C4H6O6 : BrinzolamideC12H21N3O5S3]
RX
-
0.2% : 1% (ophthalmic suspension/drops)
Novartis Pharms CorpApr 19, 2013
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

TEKTURNA [Aliskiren Hemifumarate2C30H53N3O6C4H4O4]
RX
-
eq 150mg base (oral tablet)
eq 300mg base (oral tablet)
Noden PharmaMar 5, 2007
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

TEKTURNA HCT [Aliskiren Hemifumarate2C30H53N3O6C4H4O4 : HydrochlorothiazideC7H8ClN3O4S2]
RX
-
eq 150mg base : 12.5mg (oral tablet)
eq 150mg base : 25mg (oral tablet)
eq 300mg base : 12.5mg (oral tablet)
eq 300mg base : 25mg (oral tablet)
Noden PharmaJan 18, 2008
  • Treatment of hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

TYVASO [TreprostinilC23H34O5]
RX
-
0.6mg/ml (inhalation solution)
United TherapJul 30, 2009
  • Method of treating pulmonary hypertension by administering treprostinil or a salt thereof by inhalation using a device.
  • Treatment of pulmonary hypertension by inhalation.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

UPTRAVI [SelexipagC26H32N4O4S]
RX
-
0.2mg (oral tablet)
0.4mg (oral tablet)
0.6mg (oral tablet)
0.8mg (oral tablet)
1.2mg (oral tablet)
1.4mg (oral tablet)
1.6mg (oral tablet)
1mg (oral tablet)
Actelion Pharms LtdDec 21, 2015
  • Method of treating pulmonary arterial hypertension comprising administering a crystalline form of selexipag.
  • Method of treating pulmonary arterial hypertension comprising administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising selexipag.
  • Method of treating pulmonary arterial hypertension comprising administering selexipag in combination with the endothelin receptor antagonist macitentan.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

ZIOPTAN [TafluprostC25H34F2O5]
RX
-
0.0015% (ophthalmic solution/drops)
Oak Pharms IncFeb 10, 2012
  • Reduction of elevated intraocular pressure in patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension.
efficacy
0.0  (0)
side effects
0.0  (0)
danger
0.0  (0)

UNK

WARNING: Consult a licensed physician in the appropriate field for medical treatment and drug prescription. Do not self medicate.