Diuretics
Diuretics work by causing the kidneys to produce more urine, which then causes your body to lose liquid (in the form of urine) and sodium. This causes your body to have less blood based on volume. By reducing your overall blood volume diuretics are able to reduce your blood pressure. Examples of diuretics include thiazide and furosemide. These medications can, however, cause you to urinate more frequently, cause sodium levels to fall too low and can put stress on the kidneys.
Vasodilators
Other blood pressure medications work by dilating the blood vessels. The more dilated and expanded the blood vessels are (especially the arteries), the less they resist the flow of blood through them, which in turn lowers the overall blood pressure. There are several medications that target the blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers, for example, work to relax the muscles that constrict blood vessels. Other drugs, such as ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers, target a compound called angiotensin. Angiotensin is made by the kidneys and causes the blood vessels to constrict. ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers block the action of angiotensin. Medications that target angiotensin can cause patients to develop a cough but they are particularly helpful for patients who also have kidney problems.
Beta Blockers
Beta blockers work by modulating the effects of the nervous system on the cardiovascular system. The nervous system sends signals to the heart which tells it how hard to pump. Beta-blockers work by blocking signals that tell the heart to beat harder and faster. This helps the heart relax which lowers the blood pressure. Beta-blockers are commonly used for patients who have high blood pressure and who have previously had a heart attack because they can ease the strain on the heart. On the other hand, beta blockers are not recommended for people with asthma because they can make the asthma worse.
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