Home Conditions Arterial hypertension

Arterial hypertension — guide.

Arterial hypertension (HTN) = BP above 140/90 mmHg on repeated measurements. It affects 30-40% of adults and is the leading cause of stroke, heart attack, heart failure, and kidney failure.

Also known as: HTN high blood pressure hypertensives
6 recommended OTC drugs
8,260 pharmacies available

In short: High blood pressure (hypertension) means a reading above 140/90 mmHg on repeated measurements and is a leading cause of stroke and heart attack, which is why it requires monitoring and treatment set by a doctor. As supportive measures, pharmacies stock supplements such as omega-3, magnesium, coenzyme Q10, potassium or garlic extract, plus blood pressure monitors for tracking your readings at home. On HartaFarmacii you can compare the price of these options across Dr. Max, Tei, Catena and HelpNet, with prices updated daily. This information is for guidance only and does not replace a medical consultation; see a doctor if you have a severe headache, vision disturbances or nausea.

Data verified on from public sources (OpenStreetMap, chain websites, ANM/MS) — updated daily.

OTC — adjuncts

What you can take alongside treatment

Informational only — HartaFarmacii is not an approved medical site. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine. Don't self-medicate. Emergencies: 112.

When to seek urgent medical help

Any of these signs calls for prompt medical evaluation:

  • Severe headache, vision disturbances, nausea
  • Values above 180/110
  • Chest pain, shortness of breath
  • New neurological symptoms
  • New peripheral edema
  • Unstable, uncontrolled BP

Classification

Optimal <120/80. Normal <130/85. High-normal 130-139/85-89. Grade 1 HTN: 140-159/90-99. Grade 2: 160-179/100-109. Grade 3: above 180/110.

Causes

Essential HTN (95%) — multifactorial (genetics, salt, obesity, alcohol, sedentary lifestyle, stress). Secondary HTN (5%) — renovascular, endocrine (pheochromocytoma, Cushing's, hyperaldosteronism), medications (contraceptives, NSAIDs, decongestants).

Untreated consequences

Stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, hypertensive retinopathy, aortic dissection, vascular dementia.

Treatment

Lifestyle — fundamental:

  • Salt below 5 g/day.
  • Weight loss if needed.
  • DASH diet (plenty of fruit, vegetables, low-fat dairy).
  • Aerobic exercise 150 min/week.
  • Alcohol limitation (2 units/day for men, 1 for women).
  • Smoking cessation.
  • Stress management.

Medication (Rx):

  • ACE inhibitors/ARBs (enalapril, ramipril, valsartan, telmisartan).
  • Calcium antagonists (amlodipine).
  • Thiazide diuretics (indapamide, hydrochlorothiazide).
  • Beta-blockers (bisoprolol, nebivolol) — for specific indications.
  • Fixed-dose combinations — better adherence.

OTC and adjuvant supplements

They do NOT replace medication:

  • Magnesium — mild effect.
  • Coenzyme Q10 100-200 mg — useful with statins.
  • Omega-3 — 2-3 g/day.
  • Dietary potassium (bananas, avocado).
  • Garlic extract — modest effect.
  • Hibiscus — tea with a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect.

Caution — avoid: pseudoephedrine (oral decongestants), chronic NSAIDs, licorice (found in some supplements).

Self-monitoring

  • Validated oscillometric blood pressure monitor.
  • Measure in the morning and evening, after 5 min of rest.
  • Keep a 1-2 week diary for assessment.
  • Target values usually <130/80 (individualized).

Medical disclaimer: the information in this guide is for informational purposes and does not replace the advice of a doctor or pharmacist. For diagnosis and treatment, consult a health professional.

Compared medicines

Medicines used for arterial hypertension

This list is indicative, generated automatically from DCI/category matching. It is not a medical recommendation — consult your doctor before starting any treatment.

This list is not a medical recommendation. Consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Search the pharmacy

Medicine categories for arterial hypertension

Step by step

How to find a pharmacy fast for arterial hypertension

Open the interactive map and grant location permission — you'll see pharmacies sorted by distance with their opening hours and a one-tap route in Google Maps. For overnight or weekend trips, switch on the 24/7 filter to keep only the on-call ones. For arterial hypertension some medicines need a prescription — make sure you have a valid one (electronic or paper) before you leave, to avoid wasted trips.

For chronic treatment, save your favourite pharmacy in the app and check prices on the comparator — OTC differences between chains can hit 20-40%, while CANAMED-capped Rx items have a fixed maximum but may carry promotions. If your treatment for arterial hypertension runs on a monthly script, schedule pickup a few days before you run out.

Left untreated

Possible complications

See also

Related symptoms and conditions

Symptom

Durere de cap

Durerea de cap (cefaleea) e unul dintre cele mai frecvente simptome — aproape toți adulții o experimentează cel puțin o dată pe an. Majoritatea episoadelor se rezolvă cu odihnă și un analgezic OTC, dar câteva semne trebuie să te trimită rapid la medic.

 Symptom

Oboseală

Oboseala e lipsă persistentă de energie, peste ce e normal după efort. Cauzele variază de la lipsă de somn la anemie, hipotiroidie, diabet, depresie, boli cronice.

 Condition

Diabet zaharat tip 2

Diabetul tip 2 reprezintă 90% din cazuri. Combinație de rezistență la insulină și deficit relativ. Asociat cu obezitate, sedentarism, genetică. Debut de regulă peste 40 ani, dar în creștere la tineri.

 Condition

Colesterol ridicat

Hipercolesterolemia = niveluri crescute de colesterol total sau LDL (rău). Factor major de risc pentru ateroscleroză, infarct, AVC. Management — stil de viață + statine la risc ridicat.

Frequently asked

What else would you like to know?

How do I measure blood pressure correctly?
Rest for 5 min, no coffee/smoking for 30 min, seated position, arm at heart level, appropriate cuff. 2 measurements 1-2 min apart, interpret the average.
At what value do I start medication?
For grade 1 HTN (140-159/90-99) — 3-6 months of lifestyle changes. Grade 2-3 or high CV risk — immediate medication + lifestyle changes.
Can I stop treatment if it normalizes?
Usually not — HTN is chronic. But with major weight loss and a healthy lifestyle, some patients reduce their doses. Only under medical supervision!
Does garlic lower blood pressure?
Yes, by 5-10 mmHg at high doses. Useful as an adjuvant, not a substitute. Standardized extract (allicin 1.3%).

See also

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