Blood pressure is a measure of how hard the heart has to work to pump blood throughout the body. Elevated blood pressure can make it harder for the heart to pump and can also contribute to a patient's risk of developing atherosclerosis and a stroke. Although there are many lifestyle changes that can lower this risk, many patients also need medications to lower their blood pressure.
Diuretics
As the Mayo Clinic explains, diuretics are able to treat hypertension by lowering the amount of water being held in the body. When this happens, there is a reduction in blood volume, which in turn causes the blood pressure to decrease. Diuretic medications include chlorothiazide, furosemide and spironolactone.
Angiotensin-Targeting Medications
Angiotensin is produced by the body, and it has a number of effects on the cardiovascular system. Its primary effect is to cause the blood vessels throughout the body to narrow. There are two different kinds of medications that work to block the effects of angiotensin. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) include captopril, lisinopril and enalapril. These medications prevent angiotensin from being converted from its inactive to its active form. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (such as losartan and valsartan) work to block the effects of angiotensin on the body. Both kinds of medications work to help keep the blood vessels relaxed, which eases hypertension.
Beta Blockers
As the American Heart Association explains, beta blockers are used to slow down the heart rate and also diminish the force with which the heart beats. The heart is controlled, in part, by the nervous system, which uses chemical signals to tell the heart how hard and how rapidly to beat. Beta blockers block some of these signals, slowing the heart and causing it to beat with diminished force. These medications, which include atenolol, tinolol and nadolol, are used to diminish cardiac output, helping to relieve the hypertensive symptoms.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium is an important mineral because it can stimulate muscles (including the muscles around blood vessels and the heart muscle) to contract. Calcium channel blockers (including verapamil, amlodipine and diltiazem) work to prevent calcium from getting into these muscles. As a result, the heart does not pump as hard and the blood vessels relax, which lowers blood pressure.
