| 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. |
| 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. |
High Blood Pressure Medication
