Medications for Blood Pressure: An Introduction
In addition to lifestyle changes, some people need
blood pressure medication to improve their condition. There are many varieties of these medicines; each one works in a slightly different way. Also, people react to medication in different ways, so it's possible that your healthcare provider will need to try a few different types of drugs to find the one that's best for you.
If your doctor does prescribe medicine for
high blood pressure, remember to take your pills exactly as directed. Even if you feel well, you still need to take your medication because damage can be occurring within your body.
Types of High Blood Pressure Medication
There are several categories of medication used to
treat high blood pressure. Often, two or more drugs work better than one. The main types of medication for high blood pressure include:
- Beta blockers
- Diuretics
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
- Alpha blockers
- Alpha-beta blockers
- Nervous system inhibitors
- Vasodilators.
Detailed Descriptions of Blood Pressure Medicines
As a whole, the different types of high blood pressure medications are known as "antihypertensives.
" In the following sections, each variety of antihypertensive drug is described in more detail.
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