High blood pressure
Your blood pressure can be controlled through:
- Medication (several may be needed)
- Exercise
- Stress reduction
- Salt restriction
- Weight loss
Medicines for the treatment of high blood pressure
Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors- Work by interfering with the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS). RAAS is a complex system responsible for regulating the body's blood pressure. They prevent ACE from producing angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels which then reduces blood pressure.
• Captopril (Capoten)
• Enalapril (Vasotec)
• Benazepril (Lotensin)
• Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
• Quinapril (Accupril)
• Ramipril (Altace)
• Trandolapril (Mavik)
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) - Work by interfering with the renin-angiotensin system (RAAS). RAAS is a complex system responsible for regulating the body's blood pressure. They block the receptor that angiotensin II, a substance that narrows blood vessels, binds to, blocking its action which then reduces blood pressure
• Losartan (Cozaar)
• Valsartan (Diovan)
• Olmesartan (Benicar)
• Irbesartan (Avapro)
• Candesartan (Atacand)
• Telmisartan (Micardis)
Beta blockers - Work on blood vessel walls, blocking the action of the sympathetic nervous system, which then reduces blood pressure
• Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)
• Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)
• Atenolol (Tenormin)
• Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Carvedilol (Coreg)
Diuretics - Reduce blood pressure by increasing the amount of salt and water removed by the kidney
• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
• Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
• Furosemide (Lasix)
• Bumetanide (Bumex)
• Torsemide (Demadex)
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Calcium channel blockers - Work on the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, making them relax which then reduces blood pressure
• Amlodipine (Norvasc)
• Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
• Diltiazem (Cardizem)
• Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
Alpha blockers - Work on the blood vessel walls, causing the blood vessels to dilate which then reduces blood pressure
• Doxazosin (Cardura)
• Terazosin (Hytrin)
• Prazosin (Minipress)
Central alpha agonist - Work in the central nervous system inhibiting the sympathetic system
• Clonidine (Catapres)
Direct vasodilators - Directly bind and relax smooth muscles in blood vessels, causing vessels to dilate which then reduces blood pressure
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• Minoxidil (Loniten)
Reproduced from Whelton et al. “2017 ACC/AHA/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ AGS/APhA/ASH/ASPC/NMA/PCNA Guideline for the Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Management of High Blood Pressure in Adults”.