If you've been diagnosed with high blood pressure, it's likely that you and your doctor have discussed a plan to lower your blood pressure. For most people, medication is a major part of that plan. High blood pressure drugs are also called "anti-hypertensive" medicine.
Your doctor has many different high blood pressure drugs to choose from. These medications work in a variety of ways to lower blood pressure. Remember, though, that they do not cure high blood pressure. Rather, the goal of high blood pressure medicine is to control your blood pressure, bringing it back down to a normal level.
One of the goals when you take drugs for high blood pressure is to be sure the medication is working effectively. One step toward achieving this goal is to avoid some medications. What kinds of problems might other drugs cause?
Some drugs can make blood pressure rise. If you have high blood pressure to begin with, it can rise to dangerous levels.
Some medications may interact with blood pressure medicine. This can prevent either drug from working properly.
Here are common types of medication...
What are the different types of high blood pressure medicines? How do they control high blood pressure? Let's take a closer look at each group.
Diuretics for High Blood Pressure
This type of high blood pressure medicine helps your kidneys remove salt and water from your body. One of the results is that you have less blood volume circulating in your blood vessels. Less volume in the vessels leads to lower blood pressure.
Diuretics are often called "water pills." They are usually the first type of high blood pressure drug that your doctor will try. Here are some examples:
Moduretic (amiloride hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide)
Beta-Blockers and High Blood Pressure
This type of high blood pressure medicine makes the heartbeat slow down. Beta-blockers also keep your heart from pumping so hard. This makes blood go through your vessels with less force. The pressure inside your blood vessels goes down.