There are circumstances when hypertension medication can be useful. We like to advocate long term solutions be natural, but in cases where you need immediate attention to reduce your blood pressure drugs have there place.

We need to look at the common medications available and know what there benefits are.

Hypertension Medications - Pros

Diuretics, commonly called "water pills," are the oldest and least expensive class of drugs used to treat hypertension. They help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. This process decreases blood volume, so your heart has less to pump with each beat, which in turn lowers blood pressure.

Loop diuretics, which act on the part of the kidney tubules called the loop of Henle, block sodium and chloride from being reabsorbed from the tubule into the bloodstream. Thiazide diuretics act on another portion of the kidney tubules to stop sodium from re-entering circulation.

The short version of diuretics is they thin the blood. This reduces the pressure in the arterial system and reduces blood pressure.

At times doctors will combine these with other drugs when the desired results are not achieved. The following drug types work more on the blood vessels, these hypertension medications are used more for a type1 condition.

• ACE inhibitors. This medication helps blood vessels relax by blocking the production of a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow. Frequently prescribed ACE inhibitors include captopril (Capoten), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) and ramipril (Altace). 
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers. This medication allows blood vessels to widen by preventing a hormone called angiotensin from affecting vessels. Frequently prescribed angiotensin II receptor blockers include losartan (Cozaar), olmesartan (Benicar) and valsartan (Diovan).
• Beta blockers. This class of drugs works by reducing nerve signals to the heart and blood vessels, thus lowering blood pressure. Frequently prescribed beta blockers include metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard) and penbutolol (Levatol).
• Calcium channel blockers. This medication prevents calcium from going into heart and blood vessel muscle cells, thus causing the cells to relax, which lowers blood pressure. Frequently prescribed calcium channel blockers include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR) and nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia).

If it's feasible, it's to your advantage to work with both a medical doctor and a holistic M.D.. Doing this will give you coverage both ways, you'll be able to control your hypertension with medication in the short term and you'll know how to stabilize it naturally for the long term.

The worse thing is to ignore it, high blood pressure is not to be fooled with. To many more critical complications can come from not addressing this problem sooner than later.

The side effects of hypertension medications are the reasons you want to look at natural remedies for the long term. Always remember that drugs and medications are for treating, the best health benefits come from curing. Finding the cause is the basis for curing, treating the symptoms is not a cure.

Always keep you doctor in the loop when you decide to make changes.

Hypertension Medications - Cons

Will list the side effects for each class of drugs, this will make it less confusing.

Diuretics - weakness, confusion, potassium depletion, gout, fatigue, thirst, frequent urination, light headedness, muscle cramps, diarrhea or constipation, increased sensitivity to sunlight, allergic reaction in people allergic to sulfa drugs, impotence.

Loop Diuretics - weakness, confusion, potassium depletion, gout, fatigue, thirst, diarrhea or constipation, increased sensitivity to sunlight, allergic reaction in people allergic to sulfa drugs, impotence.

Potassium Sparing Diuretics - excessive potassium levels, especially in patients with kidney disease; breast enlargement and erectile dysfunction in men; menstrual irregularities in women.

Beta Blockers - wheezing, dizziness, depression, impotence, fatigue, insomnia, decreased HDL cholesterol levels, lower exercise tolerance. Can worsen peripheral vascular disease and heart failure. Abrupt withdrawal may trigger angina or a heart attack in patients with heart disease.

Calcium Channel Blockers - headache, dizziness, edema, and heartburn. Nifedipine can cause palpitations. Diltiazem and verapamil can cause constipation and a slowed heartbeat.

Ace Inhibitors - cough, rash, fluid retention, high potassium levels, and loss of taste. May cause low blood pressure and fainting. Can worsen kidney impairment if narrowed arteries feed both kidneys. May cause fetal abnormalities.

There you have some of the cons for hypertension medications, don't be overwhelmed by all the drug names. Just realize that drugs have side effects, taking them long term can affect other vital body organs.

You might find reducing your hypertension and garlic supplements useful reading, plan your strategy today, you have options to solve your hypertension problems.