What Is Cardura Used For? (Cont.)

Cardura Uses for High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is a measurement of the pressure inside your blood vessels. A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers -- for example, 120/80. The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90, with multiple blood pressure readings (normal blood pressure is usually around 120/80).
 
High blood pressure is common and can cause serious health problems, including:
 
 
For most people, there is no specific cause of hypertension (see Causes of High Blood Pressure).
 
Most people have no symptoms of high blood pressure until the disease is advanced. Possible symptoms of high blood pressure include:
 
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Blurred vision
  • Nausea (upset stomach).
     
It is important to understand that hypertension may be causing serious damage even if you do not have any symptoms.
 
Lifestyle changes that can help treat hypertension include exercise, weight loss, and limited alcohol intake. Stress may also have an effect on blood pressure (see Stress and High Blood Pressure). Following a high blood pressure diet, such as the DASH diet, may help to lower blood pressure as well (see High Blood Pressure Diet).
 
Many high blood pressure medications are available, of which Cardura is one. It works by blocking alpha-1 receptors, allowing the blood vessels to relax. These relaxed vessels allow blood to flow more easily though them, which lowers blood pressure. However, Cardura is not a cure for high blood pressure.
 
(Click Hypertension Medications for more information on the different blood pressure medications available.)
 
(What Is Cardura Used For? Continued: Page 3)

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;