Other medical conditions and the impact of high blood pressure medications

**High blood pressure medications and their impact on other medical conditions**
Drug class	Recommended if you have:	May need to avoid if you have:
Beta-blockers	Coronary artery disease Chest pain (angina) Rapid heartbeat Heart failure (only if your condition is stable) Migraine Overactive thyroid	Bradycardia or heart block Depression Impotence Asthma or emphysema Buildup of plaque in blood vessels that supply blood to the arms, legs, and other parts of the body (peripheral arterial disease)
Diuretics	Heart failure	Gout
ACE inhibitors	Diabetes Heart failure Coronary artery disease	Blockage of blood flow to the kidneys (renal artery stenosis) Pregnancy Angioedema
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs)	Diabetes Heart failure Coronary artery disease	Pregnancy
Calcium channel blockers	Coronary artery disease Chest pain (angina) Rapid heartbeat	Heart block/bradycardia Heart failure Pregnancy
Alpha-blockers	Enlarged prostate and decreased urinary flow High cholesterol	Low blood pressure upon standing
Other vasodilators	Coronary artery disease Chest pain (angina) Heart failure Kidney failure
Centrally acting agents	Psychiatric conditions	Acute hepatitis Liver cirrhosis

Author	Robin Parks, MS
Editor	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor	Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Robert A. Kloner, MD, PhD - Cardiology
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Ruth Schneider, MPH, RD - Diet and Nutrition
Last Updated	April 24, 2007