Hypertension is a common chronic disease characterized by persistent elevation of blood pressure above normal levels. Hypertension is divided into two types: high systolic pressure and high diastolic pressure. In this article, we will focus on the treatment of high systolic pressure, especially pharmacological treatment.
Definition and Hazards of High Systolic Pressure
High systolic pressure refers to blood pressure values higher than the normal range during heart contraction, typically defined as 140/90 mmHg. The hazards of high systolic pressure mainly manifest in the following aspects:
Cardiovascular diseases: High systolic pressure is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
Stroke: High systolic pressure is also a major risk factor for stroke, especially hemorrhagic stroke.
Kidney diseases: Prolonged high systolic pressure may lead to impaired kidney function, even progressing to kidney failure.
Types of Medications for Treating High Systolic Pressure
The medications used to treat high systolic pressure mainly include the following:
Diuretics:
They lower blood pressure by increasing urine excretion and reducing blood volume.
Common diuretics include hydrochlorothiazide and furosemide.
β-blockers:
They lower blood pressure by blocking the action of β-receptors, reducing cardiac contraction force and heart rate. Common β-blockers include metoprolol and atenolol.
Calcium channel blockers:
They lower blood pressure by blocking calcium ions from entering myocardial cells, reducing cardiac contraction force. Common calcium channel blockers include nifedipine and amlodipine.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs):
They lower blood pressure by inhibiting the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing angiotensin production. Common ACEIs include enalapril and benazepril.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): They lower blood pressure by blocking the action of angiotensin II receptors, reducing the effects of angiotensin II. Common ARBs include losartan and valsartan.
Optimal Medication Selection for Treating High Systolic Pressure
The optimal medication selection for treating high systolic pressure should be determined based on the patient’s specific condition, including blood pressure levels, comorbidities, adverse reactions, etc. It mainly includes the following aspects:
Blood pressure levels:
For patients with mild high systolic pressure, diuretics may be preferred; for those with moderate high systolic pressure, β-blockers or calcium channel blockers may be preferred; for patients with severe high systolic pressure, ACEIs or ARBs may be preferred.
Comorbidities:
If patients have other diseases such as diabetes, coronary heart disease, or heart failure, medications that are effective for these conditions, such as ACEIs or ARBs, should be chosen.
Adverse reactions:
Different types of medications may have different adverse reactions, and medications that are safer for patients should be selected. For example, ACEIs should be avoided in patients with renal insufficiency, and β-blockers should be avoided in patients with bradycardia.
Conclusion
The optimal medication selection for treating high systolic pressure should be based on the patient’s specific condition, including blood pressure levels, comorbidities, adverse reactions, etc. When choosing medications, individual differences should be fully considered to achieve the best treatment effect. Additionally, patients should also pay attention to improving lifestyle habits, such as maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in appropriate exercise, quitting smoking, and limiting alcohol consumption, to assist medication treatment and better control blood pressure.
