High blood pressure eventually affects most people, but can also be present for years without any symptoms, according to the Mayo Clinic. Failure to control high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Hypertension is considered present with a blood pressure reading of 140/90 or higher, with 120/80 being an ideal blood pressure goal. Medicines are available to effectively control high blood pressure.
Thiazide Diuretics
Diuretics reduce the water and sodium carried by the body, effectively lowering both blood volume and pressure, states the Mayo Clinic. Available over the counter, diuretics (water pills) such as Pamabrom are often the first line of defense against hypertension; patients older than 80 may be prescribed a special diuretic, indapamide, which has been shown to lower the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular disease, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Beta Blockers
When a diuretic alone doesn't effectively lower your blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe beta blockers in order to open your blood vessels and reduce the work required by your heart to pump blood through them. This type of medication works by blocking the effects of adrenaline, causing the heart rate to lower as well as relaxing the blood vessels. These may also be more effective if taken with a thiazide diuretic.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
ACE inhibitors block angiotensin from being created, a chemical that constricts the blood vessels. The Mayo Clinic states that these medications cause the blood vessels to relax, and may prove to be the preferred medication for patients with heart and kidney failure or coronary artery disease. As with beta blockers, ACE inhibitors may be more effective when taken with a diuretic.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
These medicines are often prescribed to patients who have high blood pressure in addition to coronary artery disease, or who also have failure of the heart or kidney. They block the action of the blood vessel-constricting chemical angiotensin, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Calcium Channel Blockers
This type of medication relaxes blood vessels, and certain types will also slow your heart rate according to the Mayo Clinic. Grapefruit juice, however, is known to interact with some of these medications, so check with your doctor or pharmacist about the risk of side effects.
Renin Inhibitors
A common renin inhibiting drug, aliskiren (brand name Tekturna), reduces the production of this enzyme. Renin is produced by the kidneys and indirectly causes an increase in blood pressure.
Other Medications
When combinations of the previously mentioned medications don't effectively lower high blood pressure in a patient, doctors will often try alpha blockers, alpha-beta blockers, central-acting agents and vasodilators to attempt to relax the blood vessel walls and lower the heart rate, according to the Mayo Clinic. After a patient reaches his goal blood pressure, a daily aspirin may be suggested by his physician to reduce the risk of developing other cardiovascular diseases.
