Some people can reach their blood pressure goal by changing their lifestyle and exercise habits. But most people will also need to take medications to keep their blood pressure at a healthy level.
Many different drugs are available to lower blood pressure. They work in various ways, and more than one drug may be prescribed at the same time. Your doctor can explain how each of these drugs works and which is best for you.
The main drugs used to control high blood pressure, and how they work, are described in the table below.
Diuretics are sometimes called “water pills” because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and salt from the body.
Beta-blockers reduce the effects of nerve impulses and stress hormones to the heart and blood vessels, thereby lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to contract. The blood vessels relax, and pressure goes down.
ARBs also shield blood vessels from the effects of angiotensin II. These drugs stop calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. Again, this helps blood vessels to relax, so blood pressure goes down.
Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more easily These drugs work in the same way as alpha-blockers, but also slow the heartbeat.
These drugs relax the blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses.
This is a general name given to drugs that widen the blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls. Additional information |