What are the main classes of hypertension treatments?

There are many different medications to treat high blood pressure. The main classes of hypertension medications include the thiazide diuretics, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin antagonists, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha-blockers, alpha-beta blockers, nervous system inhibitors, vasodilators, and beta blockers.

The thiazide diuretics are drugs that are used alone or in combination with other medications. Diuretics remove excess fluid and salt from the body. The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors may be prescribed for people who have had previous heart attacks for prevention. The angiotensin antagonists shield blood vessels from angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to narrow.  The calcium channel blockers keep calcium from coming into the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, resulting in lower blood pressure and a slower heart rate. Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) also relax the heart muscle and treat chest pain (angina). Alpha-blockers reduce nerve impulses to blood vessels, causing the blood pressure to drop. Alpha-beta-blockers work the same way as alpha-blockers but they lower blood pressure by slowing the heart beat. Nervous system inhibitors cause the blood vessels to widen, and vasodilators open blood vessels to lower blood pressure. Beta blockers slow the pulse, lower blood pressure, and reduce the work of the heart but they have side effects of fatigue and asthma symptoms.