BLOOD PRESSURE MEDICINE: WHAT ARE STATINS AND BETA-BLOCKERS AND HOW DO THEY BENEFIT YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE

Blood pressure is a measure of the force that’s exerted by blood against the walls of the blood vessels. Blood pressure levels are used as an indicator of cardiovascular health and reflects the balance between the heart pumping blood and the resistance of the arteries. The normal blood pressure is around 120/80 millimetres of mercury (mm Hg), but, there might be variations depending on factors such as age, gender and overall health. However, a lot of people don’t have normal blood pressure levels and they are advised medicines along with lifestyle and dietary changes.

Some of the medicines that are prescribed by your doctors are statins and beta blockers. These medicines help to lower your blood pressure levels which can eventually benefit your heart health. Read on to know what are statins and beta-blockers and how they lower your blood pressure levels.

What are beta-blockers?

These are a group of medicines that are prescribed to treat high blood pressure, angina, and heart rhythm disorders. These medicines work by blocking the impact of adrenaline on the heart, thereby, reducing heart rate and blood pressure. When this happens, beta-blockers reduce the workload on the heart. This eventually helps in managing conditions like hypertension and preventing heart attacks.

Side effects of beta-blockers include fatigue, dizziness, cold hands and feet, and digestive issues. These medications may also cause sleep disturbances, depression, and sexual dysfunction. Make sure that you’re taking these medicines under the supervision of your doctor as they would be able to prescribe the right dosage.

What are statins?

Statins are a group of medicines that are prescribed to lower cholesterol which eventually helps to reduce the risks of cardiovascular diseases, heart attacks or strokes. These medicines work by inhibiting an enzyme in the liver that plays an important role in the production of cholesterol, thereby, leading to decreased levels of LDL cholesterol, which is also known as ‘bad’ cholesterol. By lowering the level of bad cholesterol, it prevents the buildup of plaque in the arteries which eventually helps in lowering blood pressure levels, and cardiovascular diseases.

Common side effects of statins include muscle pain, liver abnormalities and digestive troubles. Some people might also experience memory loss or confusion, even though these side effects are rare. It’s important that you monitor for any adverse reactions while using statins and consult your doctor as and when required.

How do beta-blockers and statins benefit your blood pressure levels?

While beta-blockers act by blocking the effects of adrenaline on the heart, statins, on the other hand, help in lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, which can be a cause of high blood pressure. Together, these medicines play an important role in managing high blood pressure and reducing the risk of cardiovascular events like heart attacks and strokes. It’s important to take these medications under the guidance of a healthcare professional to ensure their effectiveness and safety.

2024-03-20T12:40:26Z dg43tfdfdgfd