Losartan is a medication prescribed to manage high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. If left untreated, this condition can lead to serious health complications like heart attack, stroke, and kidney disease. Losartan works to reduce pressure within your blood vessels, helping to protect your heart and other organs from damage.
How Losartan Works
Losartan is classified as an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), a type of medication that targets a specific hormonal system. This system involves a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. When angiotensin II binds to its receptors, it triggers vasoconstriction, tightening the blood vessels and increasing blood pressure.
Losartan works by blocking these angiotensin II type 1 receptors, preventing the hormone from binding and exerting its constricting effects. This blockade leads to vasodilation, meaning the blood vessels relax and widen. Wider blood vessels allow blood to flow through more easily, which lowers blood pressure. Losartan also helps the body excrete excess sodium and water. Losartan typically starts to reduce blood pressure within about an hour of the first dose, with its full effects becoming apparent over three to six weeks of consistent use.
Losartan’s Impact on Diastolic Pressure
Losartan lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, which are the two numbers given in a blood pressure reading. Systolic pressure represents the force when your heart beats, while diastolic pressure reflects the pressure in your arteries when your heart rests between beats. A high diastolic reading indicates constant strain on your blood vessels, even during the heart’s resting phase.
By blocking angiotensin II, losartan directly addresses the mechanisms that contribute to both components of high blood pressure. Its ability to relax and widen blood vessels reduces the resistance against which the heart must pump blood, lowering both systolic and diastolic pressures. Studies have shown that losartan can reduce diastolic pressure by approximately 16.8 mm Hg. This makes losartan an effective treatment for overall hypertension.
Monitoring Blood Pressure While on Losartan
Regular blood pressure monitoring is an important part of managing hypertension while taking losartan. Healthcare providers typically recommend periodic checks to assess the medication’s effectiveness and make any necessary dosage adjustments. You can monitor your blood pressure at home using a reliable home blood pressure monitor.
When taking readings, it is generally recommended to sit still with your back supported and feet flat on the floor, avoiding talking or moving. A healthy blood pressure reading is generally considered to be below 140/90 mmHg for most individuals. Keeping a record of your blood pressure readings and sharing them with your doctor helps them understand how well losartan is working for you and allows them to optimize your treatment plan. Your doctor may also order blood tests to check kidney function and potassium levels, as these can be affected by losartan.
Important Considerations for Losartan Users
Individuals taking losartan should be aware of potential side effects and other considerations to ensure safe and effective treatment. Common side effects can include dizziness, headaches, stuffy nose, back pain, and fatigue. Dizziness, especially when standing up quickly, can occur, and it is advisable to rise slowly to prevent this.
Adhering to the prescribed dosage is important for the medication’s effectiveness. If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered, unless it is close to the time for the next scheduled dose, in which case the missed dose should be skipped to avoid taking a double dose. Lifestyle modifications can also support the medication’s effects, including a balanced diet low in salt, regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol intake. It is also important to discuss all medications, including over-the-counter drugs, supplements, and herbal remedies, with your healthcare provider, as some can interact with losartan or affect blood pressure. For instance, potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium should generally be avoided unless specifically advised by a doctor due to the risk of elevated potassium levels.