Hypertension is a chronic condition characterized by elevated blood pressure levels. According to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, pharmacological treatments for hypertension reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and death from the condition. There are many different pharmacological treatments that can be used for hypertension to control various aspects of the condition.

Alpha Blockers

In hypertension treatment, alpha blockers are used to relax the muscles and help the smaller blood vessels in the body remain open. This decreases the amount of resistance in these blood vessels and lowers the blood pressure while increasing blood flow. Some commonly prescribed alpha blockers for hypertension treatment are terazosin and prazosin.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers are used to disrupt the calcium conduction of the calcium channels in the body. This decreases the contraction force of the heart muscles and slows down the electrical activity in the heart, resulting in a decreased heart rate and reducing the likelihood of heart blockage. The most commonly prescribed calcium channel blockers for hypertension treatment include Norvasc, diltiazem, and Adalat.

Diuretics

Diuretics control hypertension by altering the way the kidneys excrete sodium which increases the amount of water excreted from the body. By lowering the water volume in the body, diuretics also lower the volume of blood in the body which causes a reduction in blood pressure. Some commonly prescribed diuretics for hypertension treatment include hydrochlorothiazide, bendroflumethiazide, and chlortalidone.

Vasodilators

In hypertension treatment, vasodilators are used to dilate the blood vessels which will cause the blood vessels to open wider and allow more blood to flow through. This reduces the pressure of the blood on the walls of the blood vessels, decreasing overall blood pressure. The most commonly prescribed vasodilators for hypertension include hydralazine and nitroglycerine.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors treat hypertension by preventing the production of angiotensin II in the body. This lowers the resistance of the arteries and increases the capacity of the veins, leading to less pressure on the walls of the blood vessels and a decrease in blood pressure. The most commonly prescribed ACE inhibitors for the treatment of hypertension include Altace, Zestril, and Monopril.

More Information:

National Institute For Health And Clinical Excellence