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 pr