Effects of Hypertension on Heart Health?

Dear Ask The Doctor: I have taken clonidine for many years , went from 0.1mg to 0.2mg, my hypertension continued , I was also put on lotreal 10-20 and have been on it at least two years. I also know that lotrel is two different medicines , I'm not sure what they are or what clonidine is honestly. My question is what are they all doing to make the hypertension come down? If these medicines are all for my heart, can you tell me whats going on with my heart . I have a general practicer . I really don't have a heart doctor so I was wondering if you can tell some answers . Thank you very much.

Dear Michele: Clonidine and lotrel are prescribed for the control of high blood pressure. Hypertension increases the workload on the heart, which means the heart has to work harder to pump blood into the blood vessels due to increased blood pressure. Clonidine lowers blood pressure by allowing your blood vessels to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily. Lotrel contains a combination of amlodipine and benazepril. Amlodipine is in a group of drugs called calcium channel blockers, that relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow. Benazepril is in a group of drugs called ACE inhibitors that also relaxes blood vessels and additionally prevents the body from retaining water.