What should you know about top blood pressure medications?

Diuretics help the body remove extra salt and water. ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers relax blood vessels through the renin-angiotensin system. Calcium-channel blockers relax vessel muscle, and some other medicines slow the heart or reduce the effect of stress hormones. A clinician may use one medicine or combine classes. Treatment is aimed at controlling hypertension and reducing strain on the heart, brain, kidneys, and blood vessels; it is not chosen from a symptom such as headache alone.

Take the prescribed dose at the agreed time and do not stop suddenly without advice. Record home readings in the way your clinician recommends, including posture and timing when requested. Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may show how pressure behaves during ordinary activities and sleep. Report dizziness, fainting, ankle swelling, a troublesome cough, or changes in urination. Check before using anti-inflammatory pain medicines, supplements, or salt substitutes, because they can affect blood pressure or kidney function.

Seek urgent help for severe chest pain, breathlessness, fainting, a sudden severe headache, new weakness, facial drooping, trouble speaking, or confusion. These can signal angina, stroke, or a transient ischaemic attack. Arrange a medication review when readings remain high, are repeatedly unusually low, or side effects make daily activities difficult.

Ask what your target readings are, why this medicine was selected, when to take it, which side effects matter, and what to do if you miss a dose.