Antihypertensive drugs

Antihypertensive drugs

Antihypertensive drugs, which act to reduce blood pressure, are used to treat hypertension, a disorder characterized by elevation in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, or both.

Know the program

Treatment for hypertension typically begins with a thiazide diuretic or a calcium channel blocker. (For more information,  The patient may also receive a beta-adrenergic antagonist, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, or an angiotensin II receptor blocker. The choice of these drugs depends on whether the patient has a compelling indication, such as heart failure, history of an MI, high risk of coronary artery disease (CAD), diabetes, or chronic kidney disease.

Other drugs used to treat hypertension include sympatholytic drugs (other than beta-adrenergic blockers), and vasodilators. At times, a combination of drugs may be used.