The combination of peripheral vascular resistance, fluid volume and cardiac output influence the level of blood pressure.
Diuretics act to decrease the volume of fluid and thus lower the pressure.
A patient with mild to moderate hypertension may be treated with changes in diet, exercise and be placed on a diuretic. With more severe cases of hypertension their may be use of ACE inhibitors, Calcium Channel Blockers, Alpha adrenergic blockers or any of these combined with a diuretic. It also relaxes smooth muscle in the bladder neck, reducing bladder outlet obstruction. Local anesthetic with vasoconstrictors may be used.