How medicines fit in

Treatment types

There are lots of different medications available to lower blood pressure. They generally need to be taken as tablets every day.

1. Diuretics

   Diuretics (water tablets) help to lower salt and water levels in your body which in turn reduces your blood pressure.

2. Beta-blockers

   Beta-blockers slow down your heart and make it beat with less force so that it reduces the strain on your blood vessels.

3. Calcium-channel blockers

   Calcium-channel blockers expand or relax your blood vessels, making it easier for the blood to flow through them.

4. Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors

   Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors prevent the production of a substance called angiotensin, to help open up the blood vessels.

5. Angiotensin receptor blockers

   Angiotensin receptor blockers work in a similar way to ACE inhibitors, but instead of blocking the production of angiotensin, they stop angiotensin from actually working.

6. Alpha-blockers

   Alpha-blockers lower blood pressure by blocking receptors in the blood vessels, keeping them relaxed and open.

7. Centrally acting drugs

   Centrally acting drugs reduce blood pressure by working on the parts of the brain that control it.

Your doctor will help you decide on the medication that works best for you. It will depend to some extent on how old you are, your ethnic background, the medicines you’ve taken before or are still taking and any other health problems that you have.

There are guidelines available to help your doctor choose the type of medicine that’s best for you. But when it comes to high blood pressure medicines, everyone responds slightly differently. It may take time to find one that suits you.  Just because something has worked well for a friend doesn't necessarily mean it will be right for you. You may be able to control your high blood pressure with just one type of medication - or you may need more than one.  

Whatever medication you choose, you can maximise its effectiveness by also making those all-important changes to your lifestyle and eating habits.