High Blood Pressure Medication

High blood pressure can lead to heart disease, heart attack, kidney failure, vision loss and stroke. Lifestyle changes such as losing weight, increasing exercise and improving diet are usually needed along with taking high blood pressure medication.

A common high blood pressure medication is diuretics. These water pills dilate arteries, increase urine output and decrease blood volume. Diuretics are used for mild high blood pressure.

Beta-blockers are another common high blood pressure medication. These drugs reduce the heart rate and decrease the pressure caused by the heart contracting. Beta-blockers are prescribed to people who have suffered a heart attack, have heart disease or angina.