Lenin posted this on another thread a couple weeks ago

"For anyone who isn't a pure salt sensitive hypertensive like me, I'd say take an ACEI if you don't cough; if you DO,then TRY an ARB. If your hypertension is RENIN run, then it might help you a lot better than it does me."

After a discussion last night with my Doc, I am going to "help" him pick a med for me to try at some point in the near future

I was first put on atenolol, then ziac, both beta blockers, then benicar, an arb (there were a few other samples of things in there I think that didnt do anything)

The ziac has a diuretic added, and i tried the benicar first alone, then with HCTZ, a diuretic

All of the above meds acted like they worked at first, then became very erratic, and the diuretics caused weight gain which cant help BP any

I have not tried an ACEI, as lenin suggest, and after trying several herbal remedies over the last 6 months the only one that seems to help is valerian root, which is really an anti anxiety treatment, but it doesnt help as much as i would like and causes sleepiness

If I understand things correctly, diuretics only help if you have salt sensitive hypertension, which i have proven that i do not have

Exercise doesnt really help me, as i work physically most days anyway, and i have lost most of the weight that i gained while on HCTZ but I would still like to lose another 20 lb, which is difficult while on anything that lowers BP

My question is this: What are all the various classed of hypertension medicines, and how does each work?

Does anyone have a list, or know a website that list all of the various types & how they work?

Thanks

PS Since I do own a vineyard i cant take anything that has a major reaction with alcohol :D I have to taste test things

mr mojo - i'll do my best:

hypertensive medications:

diuretics: work in the kidneys by increasing urine volume

beta blockers: bind to beta-adrenegic receptors throughout the body, including the heart and the blood vessels, slowing the heart rate and reducing cardiac output

Alpha Blocker:BP by binding to the Alpha1 receptors on the blood vessels to inhibit vasoconstriction

Alpha-Beta Blockers: lower bp by blocking both alpha abd beta receptors

Calcium Channel Blockers: lower BP by preventing the influx of calcium into the smooth muscle cells of the cell wall, thus promoting vasodilation

ACE inhibitors: block the angiotensin converting enzyme in the RAAS, effectively preventing angiotensin from becoming angiotensin II

ARBs - block the vasoconstrictive actions of angiotensin II by selectively binding to AT1 receptors

How's that?

Mrmojo-

There are so many websites that have the info you need in depth but can't post them due to healthboards guidelines.
Best I can do for now is this: (altho it leaves out the alpha antagonists):

http://healthboards.webmd.com/content/article/96/103770.htm

zuzu xx

<removed>

Thanks, guys - I'm very confused, but i think im leaning toward a ace inhibitor if I go back on meds, I'm going to have to do some more research though (I'd rather just lose another 20 lbs somehow, but I'm stuck, cant get below 245)

by the way, one of those links (part of this site) was running an ad for Cardio Grip, a buddy of mine saw their display at OshKosh last year, they were pushing it as a no med way to lower your BP so you can pass your FAA medical exam, they supposedly sold a bunch to the Air Force

The thing is, I've asked several doctors I trust about it, including a couple FAA medical examiners & flight surgeons, & they all say its nothing but Quackery

Anyone have any experience with the cardiogrip??

by the way, one of those links (part of this site) was running an ad for Cardio Grip, a buddy of mine saw their display at OshKosh last year, they were pushing it as a no med way to lower your BP so you can pass your FAA medical exam, they supposedly sold a bunch to the Air Force

The thing is, I've asked several doctors I trust about it, including a couple FAA medical examiners & flight surgeons, & they all say its nothing but Quackery

Anyone have any experience with the cardiogrip??Based on what I can see after about 2 minutes of research, it sure looks like "quackery". <removed> This is very deceiving. It's approved by the FDA alright... but not to lower BP! It's approved as "powered exercise equipment". Basically, it falls in the same category as a treadmill.

Pal

what little i could tell from their website, if it works like they say it does, it only would work if your BP was kidney related anyway

I'm trying to talk my doc into ordering at least a renal scan & possibly an MRI, I'd like to rule out any physical problems at some point, the meds he has put me on havent worked properly

Hell, if I need a stent somewhere I want a stent, no amount of meds will help if that it the problem & it will just get worse