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How Do Antihypertensive Medications Lower Blood Pressure and Protect Heart Health?

Antihypertensive medications are medicines that help lower blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. They do this in a few different ways:

  1. Diuretics: These are also known as “water pills.” They help your body get rid of extra sodium and water. This reduces the amount of blood in your body. One common diuretic is called hydrochlorothiazide.

  2. ACE Inhibitors: These medicines, like lisinopril, stop your body from turning a substance called angiotensin I into angiotensin II. This helps relax your blood vessels, making it easier for your blood to flow.

  3. Beta Blockers: Drugs like metoprolol slow down your heart rate and make your heart pump with less force. This lower heart activity helps decrease blood pressure.

  4. Calcium Channel Blockers: A medication like amlodipine stops calcium from getting into your heart and blood vessels. This helps them relax and lowers blood pressure.

All of these actions work together to help prevent serious problems, like heart attacks and strokes.

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How Do Antihypertensive Medications Lower Blood Pressure and Protect Heart Health?

Antihypertensive medications are medicines that help lower blood pressure and keep your heart healthy. They do this in a few different ways:

  1. Diuretics: These are also known as “water pills.” They help your body get rid of extra sodium and water. This reduces the amount of blood in your body. One common diuretic is called hydrochlorothiazide.

  2. ACE Inhibitors: These medicines, like lisinopril, stop your body from turning a substance called angiotensin I into angiotensin II. This helps relax your blood vessels, making it easier for your blood to flow.

  3. Beta Blockers: Drugs like metoprolol slow down your heart rate and make your heart pump with less force. This lower heart activity helps decrease blood pressure.

  4. Calcium Channel Blockers: A medication like amlodipine stops calcium from getting into your heart and blood vessels. This helps them relax and lowers blood pressure.

All of these actions work together to help prevent serious problems, like heart attacks and strokes.

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