Emergency treatment of hypertension: Do not take nifedipine tablets sublingually, it is safer to use this medicine!

Before reading this article, we sincerely invite you to click "Follow", so that you can access a series of high-quality health articles at any time, and at the same time facilitate discussion and sharing, thank you for your support!

Blood pressure soars, headaches split, eyes dark... This is a typical symptom of a hypertensive emergency. Many people experience this situation and their first reaction is to take nifedipine tablets sublingually.

However, this habitual approach turned out to be wrong! How should hypertensive emergencies be properly handled?

This article will reveal a safer and more effective option for you.

Hypertension is a common chronic disease, and there are about 270 million people living with hypertension in mainland China. Most patients can control their blood pressure within the ideal range by taking regular medications and making lifestyle changes. However, some people occasionally experience a sudden increase in blood pressure, which is called a hypertensive emergency.

A hypertensive emergency is usually defined as a systolic blood pressure ≥ 180 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 120 mmHg with acute target organ damage. Common symptoms include severe headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, chest tightness and chest pain. In the event of a hypertensive emergency, it is necessary to reduce the blood pressure to a safe level in a short period of time to avoid serious complications such as stroke and myocardial infarction.

In the face of a hypertensive emergency, many people's first reaction is to take nifedipine tablets sublingually. This practice has been circulating in China for a long time, and some doctors even recommend it. Nifedipine is a calcium channel blocker that rapidly lowers blood pressure. Studies in recent years have shown that sublingual nifedipine is not the best option.

Sublingual nifedipine carries the following risks:

Rapid lowering of blood pressure: Nifedipine has a quick effect, but it is also easy to cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, causing dizziness, syncope and other adverse reactions.

Blood pressure rebound: Nifedipine has a short duration of action, and blood pressure may rise again in a short period of time.

Increased burden on the heart: Nifedipine causes an increased heart rate, increasing the burden on the heart.

Decreased cerebral blood flow: A sharp drop in blood pressure may lead to cerebral hypoperfusion and increase the risk of stroke.

In view of these risks, international hypertension guidelines no longer recommend sublingual nifedipine as a management of hypertensive emergencies. In the face of hypertensive emergencies, how can we deal with them correctly?

The answer is: captopril sublingually!

Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) that offers the following advantages:

Stable blood pressure reduction: Captopril has a gentle blood pressure lowering effect and does not cause a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Long-lasting effect: Captopril's antihypertensive effect lasts for several hours and is less prone to blood pressure rebound.

Heart protection: Captopril reduces the burden on the heart and is beneficial to heart function.

Cerebrovascular protection: Captopril does not significantly affect cerebral blood flow and reduces the risk of stroke.

Few side effects: captopril is well tolerated and has a low incidence of adverse reactions.

The specific approach to using captopril to manage hypertensive emergencies is as follows:

1. Prepare captopril tablets (usually 25 mg format).
2. Place 1-2 tablets of captopril under the tongue and take it in your mouth.
3. Avoid swallowing and allow the drug to dissolve and absorb slowly.
4. Sit still and stay relaxed.
5. Blood pressure is measured after 15-30 minutes to observe the effect of lowering blood pressure.
6. If the blood pressure does not drop, you can take 1 tablet again under the guidance of your doctor.

While captopril is relatively safe to take sublingually, it is not suitable for everyone. Captopril should not be used in the following situations:

1. Those who are allergic to ACE inhibitors.
2. Pregnant women.
3. Patients with severe renal insufficiency.
4. Patients with hyperkalemia.
5. Patients with aortic stenosis.

In addition to medication, a number of complementary measures are needed to control hypertensive emergencies:

Be quiet: Find a quiet, comfortable environment to rest and avoid strenuous activities.

Relax: Deep breathing, meditation, and other methods can help relieve tension.

Proper hydration: Drinking warm water in small amounts and often can help stabilize blood pressure.

Monitor blood pressure: Measure blood pressure every 15-30 minutes and keep an eye on trends.

Seek medical help: If your blood pressure is persistently high or you have severe symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Prevention is always better than cure. To avoid the occurrence of hypertensive emergencies, it is necessary to manage blood pressure well:

Take your medication on time: Take your blood pressure medication regularly as instructed by your doctor, and don't stop or adjust the dose without authorization.

Healthy diet: control sodium intake, eat more fruits and vegetables, and supplement minerals such as potassium, magnesium, and calcium in moderation.

Moderate exercise: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity per week.

Quit smoking and limit alcohol: Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can raise blood pressure and should be avoided as much as possible.

Manage stress: Learn to regulate your emotions and maintain a good attitude.

Regular medical check-ups: Conduct a comprehensive check-up at least once a year to identify potential problems in a timely manner.

Hypertension is a lifelong problem that requires the joint efforts of both patients and doctors. In the face of a hypertensive emergency, do not panic, let alone blindly use nifedipine. Remember that captopril is a safe and effective way to take sublingually, and take the necessary auxiliary measures to ensure that you will be able to get through this difficult time.

Again, the approach described here is only applicable to the acute management of hypertension in general. If you have severe symptoms or if your blood pressure persists in controlling it, it's important to see a doctor right away. Your health is your most valuable asset, don't take it lightly!

The above content is for reference only, if you feel unwell, please consult a medical professional. If you like it, you can pay attention to it, share health knowledge every day, and be your exclusive online doctor.