The Most Successful Medications For High Blood Pressure

Renin Inhibitors

Renin inhibitors work by slowing down the production of renin, an enzyme produced by the kidneys that starts a chain reaction of chemicals within the body that increases blood pressure. Aliskiren is a commonly prescribed type of renin inhibitor that works by decreasing the body’s ability to produce renin that creates this chemical reaction. Due to a severe risk of complications, such as stroke, patients should not take aliskiren along with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.

Other Medications To Consider

Besides the numerous medications an individual may be prescribed based on their blood pressure and current health, there are a few other medications to be considered, alongside a doctor of course. Aldosterone antagonists block the effect of a natural chemical that can lead to salt and fluid retention, which can contribute to high blood pressure. Common names for this type of medication is spironolactone and eplerenone.

Vasodilators are another medication that includes hydralazine and minoxidil and treats hypertension by working directly on the muscles in the walls of the arteries by dilating them, preventing the muscles from tightening and the arteries from narrowing. As a result, blood flows much more easily through the vessels, and the heart does not have to pump as hard. Central-acting agents are a class of medications that prevent the brain from signaling the nervous system to increase an individual’s heart rate and narrow the blood vessels. Examples of these agents include clonidine, guanfacine, and methyldopa.