In the remaining cases, the hypertension is secondary or a symptom of a recognizable problem such as kidney abnormality, tumor of the adrenal gland or congenital defect of the aorta. When the root cause is corrected, blood pressure usually returns to normal. Some called diuretics, rid the body of excess fluids and sodium. Others, called beta blockers, reduce the heart rate and the heart s output of blood. Another class of antihypertensives is called sympathetic nerve inhibitors.
Sympathetic nerves go from the brain to all parts of the body, including the arterioles.
They can cause the arteries to constrict or narrow, thus increasing blood pressure. This class of drug reduces hypertension by inhibiting these nerves from constricting blood vessels. Another group of drugs is the vasodilators. The ACE inhibitors interfere with the body s production of angiotension, a chemical that causes the arterioles to constrict. The calcium antagonists can reduce the heart rate and relax blood vessels.