Skip to content 
3) Diuretics
Diuretics are used in all cases of hypertension that does not respond to the first administered antihypertensive medication or even as a first option. They act by increasing the amount of water excreted by the kidney to decrease blood volume and, therefore, hypertension. There are several classes of diuretics used for different causes from heart failure to liver diseases, but the most commonly used in hypertension are thiazide diuretics.
Hydrochlorothiazide is the most commonly used in this class. It is given as either a separate tablet to your daily dose of antihypertensive medication or, more commonly, both of them are combined in the same tablet. Other thiazide-like diuretics include indapamide and chlorthalidone.
The main drawback of diuretics is that they need good hydration and oral intake since they also get rid of minerals with water and can cause electrolyte abnormalities. One great advantage of thiazide-like diuretics is that they decrease the risk of heart attacks, which makes them an ideal option for those with coronary artery disease -narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the heart.
