Diuretics
- "water pills" that work in the kidneys to flush excess water and sodium from the body
- common sources include caffeinated beverages like coffee, soda, and tea
Beta Blockers
- Reduce nerve impulses to the heart/ blood vessels, allowing the heart to beat slower and with less force
- Blood pressure drops and heart works less hard
ACE Inhibitors
- Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the formation of Angiotensin II—a hormone which causes the blood vessels to narrow
- Works to allow blood vessels to relax and blood pressure to go down
Angiotensin Antagonists
- Shield blood vessels from Angiotensin II
- Vessels widen and blood pressure goes down
Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)
- CCBs keep Calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels
- Vessels relax and blood pressure goes down
Alpha-Blockers
- Reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels which allows blood to pass more easily, causing blood pressure to go down
Vasodilators
- Directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the blood vessel walls, causing the blood pressure to go down
For more information on common medications please visit: www.heart.org