Hypertension Treatment: Medicine

The goal of treating hypertension is to reduce blood pressure to within the normal range and maintain it there while keeping any adverse effects of medical treatment to a minimum. Management of hypertension involves lifestyle changes and medication.

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting cigarettes, losing weight, and increasing exercise, can dramatically reduce blood pressure. If lifestyle changes fail to reduce blood pressure, or if you can't make these alterations, many effective drugs are available. Sometimes you need to experiment with a few to find one that agrees with you. Many times more than one drug is needed to control blood pressure.

Blood pressure medicines must be taken daily. Do not stop taking your medicine on your own. If you develop side effects, notify your doctor. She may be able to adjust the treatment such as by changing the dose or choosing another drug to help minimize side effects while controlling your blood pressure.

Prescription medications for hypertension include:

• Diuretics
• Beta-blockers
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
• Angiotensin II antagonists
• Calcium channel blockers
• Alpha-blockers
• Alpha-beta blockers
• Centrally-acting nervous system drugs
• Vasodilators

• Hypertension and Diuretics
• Hypertension and Beta Blockers
• Hypertension and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
• Hypertension and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
• Hypertension and Calcium Channel Blockers
• Hypertension and Alpha Blockers
• Hypertension and Alpha-Beta Blockers
• Hypertension and Centrally Acting Adrenergic Drugs
• Hypertension and Vasodilators
• Talking to Your Doctor About Hypertension

Diuretics lower blood pressure by helping the kidneys get rid of excess water and sodium. This is why these medicines are sometimes referred to as “water pills.”

Read more about Hypertension and Diuretics.

Beta-blockers help treat hypertension by lowering blood pressure. They also reduce demands on the heart by reducing the rate and force of contraction.

Read more about Hypertension and Beta Blockers.

ACE inhibitors relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure by blocking the production of angiotensin, a hormone that causes the blood vessels to constrict.

Read more about Hypertension and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors.

ARBs relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure by shielding the blood vessels from angiotensin, a hormone that causes the blood vessels to constrict.

Read more about Hypertension and Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors.

Calcium channel blockers relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure by blocking some activities of heart and blood vessel muscle cells.

Read more about Hypertension and Calcium Channel Blockers.

Alpha-blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing nerve impulses to the blood vessels. This relaxes the blood vessels and helps lower blood pressure.

Read more about Hypertension and Alpha Blockers.

Alpha-beta blockers lower blood pressure by decreasing nerve impulses to the blood vessels. They also slow the heart rate and decrease the force of contraction. This decreases the workload of the...

Read more about Hypertension and Alpha-Beta Blockers.

These nervous system drugs lower blood pressure by controlling nerve impulses and relaxing blood vessels.

Read more about Hypertension and Centrally Acting Adrenergic Drugs.

Vasodilators lower blood pressure by directly relaxing blood vessel walls.

Read more about Hypertension and Vasodilators.