Controlling High Blood Pressure: A Woman's Guide - Pamphlet

Pamphlet by: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Sept, 1999

* How hard the heart pumps

* How much the blood vessels widen and narrow

* How much fluid is in the body

Your doctor will choose the drug that best suits you. Often, two or more drugs work better than one drug.

The main types of high blood pressure drugs are:

Diuretics--These are sometimes called "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body through urine. This reduces the amount of fluid in the blood. And, since sodium is flushed out of blood vessel walls, the vessels open wider. Pressure goes down. There are different types of diuretics. They are often used with other high blood pressure drugs.

Beta blockers--These reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat less often and with less force. Blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard.

Angiotensin antagonists--These are a new type of high blood pressure drug. They shield blood vessels from a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes vessels to narrow. As a result, the vessels are wider and pressure lowers.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors--These prevent angiotensin II from being formed. They relax blood vessels and pressure goes down.

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)--These keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. Blood vessels relax and pressure goes down.

One short-acting type of CCB has been found to increase the chance of a repeat heart attack. Short-acting CCBs are taken several times a day. If you are on such a drug, you should talk with your doctor about other medication choices. The finding does not apply to the longer-acting types of CCB, which are taken once a day.

Alpha blockers--These work on the nervous system to relax blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily.

Alpha-beta blockers--These work the same way as alpha blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. As a result, less blood is pumped through the vessels.

Nervous system inhibitors--These relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses.

Vasodilators--These open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls.

You're In Charge

High blood pressure can be controlled. Make healthy lifestyle changes and always take your drug as prescribed.

Remember: You have what it takes to control your high blood pressure.

For More Information

If you want more information about heart-healthy eating, physical activity and other topics, contact:

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Information Center

P.O. Box 30105

Bethesda, MD 20824-0105

(301) 251-1222

American Heart Association (AHA)

National Center

7272 GreenvilleAvenue

Dallas, TX 75231

1-800-AHA-USA1

or (214) 373-6300

The American Dietetic Association

216 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 800

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

1-800-366-1655

Record Your Blood Pressure

Use this chart to record your blood pressure readings. You may want your doctor or nurse to write the numbers and add special notes.

[Chart OMITTED]

Are You In Control?

You may be surprised to learn that many women take blood pressure drugs but still have high blood pressure. This is especially true for older women.