In my medical career, I have met a wide variety of people with high blood pressure, and many of them have asked me the same question: "Doctor, is there a medication that is effective in controlling blood pressure without not affecting daily life?" As a cardiologist, I often recommend these medications because they are not only effective in lowering blood pressure, but also have fewer side effects, making them especially suitable for long-term use.
I remember one time, a patient who had just entered middle age, we will call him Mr. Li for the time being, came to my clinic. His face was pale, and he was clearly preoccupied. Upon examination, I found that his blood pressure was as high as 160/100 mm Hg. Mr. Lee was very anxious about the fact that he might need to take medication for a long time because he was worried that the side effects of the medication would affect his busy work and family life. After learning more about his medical history and lifestyle habits, I prescribed him losartan, a sartan drug that is especially suitable for patients like him who are first discovering high blood pressure.
During the follow-up visit, Mr. Lee told me that he was feeling well and did not experience the fatigue or dizziness that is common with other treatments. The change not only eased his anxiety, but also made him more confident in the efficacy of these medications.
People who are suitable for sartans
Sartans, widely used to control high blood pressure, are an indispensable part of modern medical care. The main mechanism of action of this class of drugs is to block angiotensin II receptors, which help relax blood vessels, thereby lowering blood pressure. With a doctor's prescription, different patient groups can achieve significant health benefits through the use of sartans.
1. Patients with high blood pressure
The most direct application group is naturally hypertension patients. Saltan drugs are not only effective in controlling blood pressure, but also reduce the risk of complications caused by high blood pressure, such as heart disease and stroke.
2. Patients with heart failure
For patients with heart failure, sartans have also shown beneficial effects. They help improve the heart's pumping function, reduce the burden on the heart, and may improve patient survival and quality of life.
3. Diabetic patients
Diabetics often carry a risk of kidney disease, and sartans play an important role here. By reducing the sensitivity of the kidneys to changes in blood pressure, these drugs help protect kidney function and slow the progression of the disease.
4. Young hypertensive patients
Saltans are especially popular in young people with high blood pressure because they are generally well tolerated and have less impact on daily life than other antihypertensive drugs. Not only are they effective in controlling blood pressure, but they also help patients maintain a high quality of life.
People who are contraindicated to sartans
Saltans, commonly used to treat high blood pressure, have become the first choice for many patients because of their significant effects and relatively few side effects. However, not everyone is a good candidate for these drugs. Certain groups of people need to avoid sartans to avoid unnecessary health risks.
First, pregnant women and women planning to become pregnant should avoid sartan altogether. Studies have shown that these drugs may affect the normal development of the fetus, especially in the later stages of pregnancy, which can lead to poor kidney development and other serious complications in the fetus. Therefore, in cases where a woman is planning to become pregnant or is already pregnant, doctors often recommend safer alternatives.
Secondly, lactating women should also avoid sartans. Although it's not entirely clear whether sartans are passed on to babies through breast milk, doctors often recommend other treatment options during breastfeeding because of the possible risks.
In patients with severe hepatic dysfunction, the use of sartans also requires extreme caution. This is because sartans are mainly metabolized by the liver, and liver insufficiency can lead to the accumulation of drugs in the body, increasing the risk of side effects. In this case, the doctor will adjust the type or dosage of the drug according to the patient's specific situation.
In addition, patients with potassium disease should avoid sartans. Because these drugs may cause potassium concentrations in the body to rise, the use of sartans may worsen the condition or cause other complications in people with pre-existing potassium predisposition.
Finally, any patient with a history of allergy to sartan components should not use these drugs. Allergic reactions may include symptoms such as skin rashes, difficulty breathing, etc., which may worsen rapidly upon re-exposure to the allergen.
Commonly used sartans
Saltans, also known as ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers), are a class of drugs commonly used in the treatment of hypertension. They work by blocking the receptors for angiotensin II, thereby relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Today I will introduce several sartans that are commonly used in clinical practice, as well as their main features and usual dosages.
洛沙坦（Losartan）
Losartan was one of the first sartan drugs approved for use. Not only is it effective in lowering blood pressure, but it is also used to treat heart disease and kidney disease. The usual starting dose of losartan is 50 mg per day and may be increased to 100 mg per day depending on how well the condition is controlled. Side effects of this drug are relatively rare, but patients still need to monitor their kidney function and electrolyte levels while using it.
奥美沙坦（Olmesartan）
Olmesartan is popular for its highly effective antihypertensive effects. It is especially suitable for those patients who do not respond well to other antihypertensive medications. The standard dose is usually 20 mg per day and can be increased to 40 mg if necessary. Although olmesartan is very effective in controlling blood pressure, it may cause a slight headache or dizziness, so you should be aware of your body's reaction when using it for the first time.
替米沙坦（Telmisartan）
Telmisartan is widely used for its long-term effect and good tolerability. It can be used alone or in combination with other medications such as diuretics to enhance the antihypertensive effect. The usual dose is 20 to 80 mg per day. Telmisartan has also been shown to have a positive effect in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in patients with higher cardiovascular risk.