High blood pressure can lead to very serious health consequences including stroke or heart disease. Blood pressure can often be lowered through diet, exercise and smoking cessation. If these measures do not work there are many medications that are quite effective in lowering blood pressure. Your doctor will prescribe the medication that is best for your health needs.
1. Diuretics
Diuretics are sometimes called "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body. This reduces the amount of fluid in the blood. There are different types of diuretics. They are often used with other high blood pressure drugs.2. Beta Blockers
Beta blockers reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat slower and with less force. Blood pressure drops and3. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. The ACE inhibitors cause the vessels to relax and blood pressure goes down.4. Angiotensin antagonists
Angiotensin antagonists are a new type of high blood pressure drug. They shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the vessels become wider and blood pressure goes down.5. Calcium Channel Blockers
CCBs keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. This causes the blood vessels to relax and pressure goes down.6. Alpha Blockers
Alpha blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, which allows blood to pass more easily, causing the blood pressure to go down.According to results from an NHLBI clinical study, an alpha blocker may not be the best choice for initial treatment for uncomplicated high blood pressure.
