Ask The Expert
December 20, 2011
No, they will not damage your heart. And your doctor may have prescribed a blood pressure medicine for reasons other than lowering your blood pressure.
Many blood pressure medicines can treat conditions other than hypertension. And for some heart conditions, they can help keep the heart strong and prevent heart damage. This is often true even when blood pressure is on the low side of normal.
Here are examples of blood pressure medicines that have other uses:
Diuretics, such as chlorthalidone and hydrochlorothiazide, are excellent blood pressure drugs. But they can also decrease leg swelling and improve the symptoms of heart failure even with normal blood pressure.
Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) can help people with heart failure live longer and better, even if their blood pressure is a little low. These drugs also help prevent kidney failure in people with diabetes. Examples of ACE inhibitors include lisinopril and ramipril.
Beta blockers, such as propranolol and metoprolol, have many uses, including:
Calcium channel blockers, such as diltiazem and verapamil, have many uses too. They help: