Medication ...

There are many classes of medications for treating hypertension, together called antihypertensives, which - by varying means - act by lowering blood pressure. Evidence suggests that reduction of the blood pressure by 5-6 mmHg can decrease the risk of stroke by 40%, of coronary heart disease by 15-20%, and reduces the likelihood of dementia, heart failure, and mortality from vascular disease.

Commonly used drugs include:

• Beta blockers such as metoprolol (Lopressor), atenolol, labetalol, carvedilol (Coreg)
• ACE inhibitors such as lisinopril (Zestril), quinapril, fosinopril (Monopril), captopril, enalapril, ramipril (Altace)
• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs): eg, losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan), irbesartan (Avapro)
• Calcium channel blockers such as amlodipine (Norvasc), verapamil
• Diuretics: eg, chlortalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (also called HCTZ)
• Combination products (which usually contain HCTZ and one other drug)
• Alpha blockers such as terazosin, prazosin

The aim of treatment should be blood pressure control ( less than 140/90 mmHg for most patients, and lower in certain contexts such as diabetes or kidney disease). Each added drug may reduce the systolic blood pressure by 5-10 mmHg, so often multiple drugs are necessary to achieve blood pressure control.