Diuretics:
One Kind of Hypertension Medication
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may prescribe blood pressure medications to help lower it. Most people with high blood pressure need to take two or more medications to control their blood pressure. This handout is about one kind of hypertension medication called diuretics.
What is hypertension?
Hypertension is a condition of higher than normal blood pressure. When you have hypertension, your heart has to work harder than it should to send blood throughout your body. By lowering your blood pressure, you can help take this extra demand off your heart and blood vessels.
Blood pressure measurements for normal blood pressure, prehypertension, and hypertension are:
What is a diuretic?
A diuretic—sometimes called a water pill—is very effective medication for lowering blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, taking a diuretic every day can help lower your chance of having a heart attack or stroke. You may be prescribed one of these diuretics:
- Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
- Chlorthalidone