Drug Classes Available to Treat Patients With High Blood Pressure

Author(s):

Manesh R. Patel, MD,Payal Kohli, MD, FACC

Key Takeaways

Antihypertensive drug classes include diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and alpha-blockers, each with distinct mechanisms of action targeting blood pressure regulation.
Diuretics reduce blood volume, beta-blockers decrease heart rate, ACE inhibitors and ARBs inhibit the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels.
Nonpharmacological approaches for hypertension management include lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes, increased physical activity, weight management, stress reduction, and limiting alcohol and sodium intake.

Panelists discuss how antihypertensive treatment encompasses multiple drug classes with distinct mechanisms of action, alongside lifestyle modifications such as dietary changes and exercise, providing a comprehensive approach to blood pressure management.

EP: 1.Unmet Needs in HTN: Patient Adherence, Comorbid Conditions, and Prevalence

EP: 2.Current Limitations With Traditional Antihypertensive Drugs

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EP: 3.Drug Classes Available to Treat Patients With High Blood Pressure

EP: 4.Difficult-to-Treat Hypertension Treatment Strategies

Video content above is prompted by the following:

There are numerous traditional drug classes available to treat patients with high blood pressure.
- What are the main antihypertensive drug classes and what are their mechanisms of action?
- What are some nonpharmacological approaches for treating hypertension?