You may need high blood pressure medication to control your blood pressure if the lifestyle changes do not show any improvement in the readings of your blood pressure. You should always consult your doctor.
You should continue with the lifestyle changes. Take blood pressure medicine in consultation with your doctor. There are many drugs available to lower blood pressure. They work in various ways.
| Drug Category | How They Work |
| Diuretics | These are sometimes called "water pills" because they work in the kidney and flush excess water and sodium from the body through urine. Note that this may also deplete potassium in your body so your doctor may advise you to eat foods high in potassium. Studies reported in 2009 and 2002 revealed that a diuretic drug or water pill work as well or better than other medications for high blood pressure and preventing heart failure. The diuretic drugs reduce blood pressure by clearing the body of excess fluid and sodium. |
| Beta-blockers | These reduce nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This makes the heart beat less often and with less force. Blood pressure drops, and the heart works less hard. |
| Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors | These prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow. The blood vessels relax, and pressure goes down. |
| Angiotensin antagonists | These shield blood vessels from angiotensin II. As a result, the blood vessels open wider, and pressure goes down. |
| Calcium channel blockers | These keep calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels. Blood vessels relax, and pressure goes down. |
| Alpha-blockers | These reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, allowing blood to pass more easily. |
| Alpha-beta-blockers | These work the same way as alpha-blockers but also slow the heartbeat, as beta-blockers do. |
| Nervous system inhibitors | These relax blood vessels by controlling nerve impulses. |
| Vasodilators | These directly open blood vessels by relaxing the muscle in the vessel walls. |
Source:National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute www.nhlbi.nih.gov
Your doctor will tell you the right drug and dose level for you. Never take high blood pressure medication by yourself.
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