Antihypertensive drugs
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Antihypertensive drugs (pronunciation: an-tee-hy-per-TEN-siv drugs) are a class of medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Etymology
The term "antihypertensive" is derived from "anti-" meaning against, and "hypertensive," referring to high blood pressure.
Types of Antihypertensive Drugs
There are several types of antihypertensive drugs, each working in a different way to lower blood pressure. These include:
- Diuretics: These increase the excretion of water and salt from the body, reducing the volume of blood and thus lowering blood pressure.
- Beta blockers: These reduce the heart rate and the heart's output of blood, which lowers blood pressure.
- ACE inhibitors: These prevent the formation of a hormone called angiotensin II, which normally causes blood vessels to narrow.
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs): These block the action of angiotensin II, allowing blood vessels to widen.
- Calcium channel blockers: These prevent calcium from entering the smooth muscle cells of the heart and arteries, causing them to relax and lower blood pressure.
Related Terms
- Hypertension
- Blood Pressure
- Diuretics
- Beta blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
- Calcium channel blockers
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Antihypertensive drugs
- Wikipedia's article - Antihypertensive drugs
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