While not always the first choice of treatment, alpha blockers have unique advantages in managing high blood pressure. This article explores what blood pressure medicines are, alpha blockers, how they work, and their benefits and risks
The alpha blocker drugs are prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure is a critical problem affecting the lives of many people worldwide. A healthy lifestyle is an important step to keep blood pressure under control; still, there are various causes of High blood pressure.
High blood pressure: It is also known as hypertension. With high blood pressure, blood flows with difficulty and struggles to pass through the vessels. The blood vessels become stiff, which restricts blood flow. The pressure with which the blood pushes against the walls of the vessels to flow through them is called blood pressure; when it becomes too high, it becomes high blood pressure.
Causes of high blood pressure:
• Age is a reason behind hypertension, and the older you get, the chances of having high BP increase.
• Heredity also rules blood pressure. If your close family members had high blood pressure, then chances are you too can have it, if you don’t follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent the same.
• Ethnic background also decides whether you are at risk of hypertension or not. People with African and/or South Asian ancestry are more at risk of hypertension than Europeans and North Americans.
• Females have fewer chances of getting high BP than adult males. Young males are more at risk, but after the age of 60 years, both males and females become equally at risk of getting affected by hypertension.
• Obesity is another reason behind hypertension. Extra weight around the body in the form of muscle, bone, fat and/or water. Obesity and overweight invite.
• Smoking cigarettes causes the narrowing of blood vessels and thus increases the risk of hypertension.
• Lack of physical activity increases the chances of hypertension.
• Stress, diabetes, and a diet with high salt and fat intake are also reasons behind high blood pressure.
Alpha blockers for blood pressure
What blood pressure medicines are alpha blockers? Alpha blockers, also called alpha-adrenergic antagonists, are medications that relax certain blood vessels. Do alpha blockers lower blood pressure? They work by blocking the alpha-1 receptor present in the walls of arteries and veins. When these receptors remain active, they constrict blood vessels, making it harder for the heart to pump blood throughout the body. The use of alpha blockers helps prevent this tightening and widens blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Some commonly prescribed alpha blockers for high blood pressure are doxazosin, prazosin, terazosin, and tamsulosin (more often used for prostate conditions). Alpha blockers for blood pressure are rarely used alone as first-line treatment; instead, they are often recommended when other blood pressure medicines have failed or when the patient has another condition for which alpha blockers offer added benefits.
Alpha blocker medicines Vs other blood pressure medicines
There are several common classes of drugs for the treatment of high blood pressure, and to keep the BP in control. These include renin inhibitors, thiazide diuretics, beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). Compared to these, while alpha blockers reduce blood pressure well, clinical research has demonstrated that they do not protect the heart as effectively as first-line medications when used alone. Therefore, healthcare specialists may include them as part of a combination treatment rather than use them as the only medication.
Using Alpha blockers properly
Alpha blockers for high blood pressure are usually prescribed as a daily oral tablet. The dose is often started low and gradually increased under a doctor’s guidance to reduce the risk of adverse effects. Healthcare specialists often advise taking the first dose at bedtime to help prevent dizziness or fainting from hypotension (a sudden drop in blood pressure), a known reaction after the first dose of an alpha-blocker medicine.
Side Effects and Risks
Though extremely effective, alpha blockers for blood pressure can also cause side effects in some people, especially when starting the treatment. Commonly reported side effects are dizziness, light-headedness, fatigue, headache, swelling in the feet or legs, nasal congestion, and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). The most notable issue is orthostatic hypotension, which is a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up from a lying or sitting position. This condition may lead to fainting and an increased risk of falls. This is why careful monitoring, especially during early treatment, should be carried out by healthcare professionals.
Safety concerns
Alpha blockers for blood pressure are not safe for everyone; they should be used cautiously or avoided in people with a history of frequent fainting, severe liver disease, heart failure, and very low baseline blood pressure. These medications may also interact with other medications, especially erectile dysfunction drugs, certain antidepressants, and other blood pressure medicines.
Lifestyle modifications: A part of blood pressure treatment
There are different ways to reduce blood pressure. BP can be easily managed with a healthy lifestyle and a heart-healthy diet. Blood pressure medications are also prescribed by doctors in case BP becomes too high to keep in control with only dietary changes.
To keep the BP in control:
• Include a good quality diet, and reduce the salt intake
• Limit your alcohol consumption
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Manage stress carefully
• Regular physical activity is also good for heart health
• Avoid smoking
• Take medication only according to the prescription
Opt for a healthy lifestyle to reduce and prevent high blood pressure. The different methods will also help increase the effectiveness of blood pressure medications for high blood pressure. Such a heart-friendly lifestyle is good for other body functions, such as kidney functionality.
Conclusion
Alpha blockers for high blood pressure remain a valuable option for hypertensive patients, especially those who deal with prostate enlargement or persistent high blood pressure not controlled by other medications. While they are not typically the first choice for doctors to lower blood pressure, their dual effects make them effective in some patients. Take the medications just as prescribed for the treatment, and change your lifestyle as needed to keep your blood pressure in control. It is very important to manage your blood pressure to keep your heart and kidneys healthy. These medications, when used appropriately, help hypertensive individuals to lead a healthier, safer life with better blood pressure control.
