What are hypotensives?
Hypotensive agents are those that lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients. A hypertensive patient presents with blood pressure higher than normal. He also experiences severe headaches, breath impairment, irregular heart rate, vision problems, fatigue, nose bleeds, and in severe cases, there are chances of seeing blood in urine too.
If uncontrolled high blood pressure remains untreated, it can lead to heart attacks, stroke, atherosclerosis (narrowing of arteries), and aneurysm. According to JNC7, the following are the guidelines for blood pressure:
Normal: less than 120 and less than 80
Elevated: 120-129 and less than 80
Stage hypertension: 130-139 and 80-89
Stage 2 hypertension: 140 or higher and 90 or higher
Hypertensive crisis: higher than 180 and higher than 120
What are the herbal benefits of hypotensives?
Hypotensive agents help:
- Lower blood pressure
- Prevent heart failure, heart attack, and stroke
- Reduce cardiovascular morbidity
- Lower the chances of death due to arterial hypertension
- Prevent end organ damage