Drug Class: Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB)

Common Medication: Amlodipine

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB): Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB): There are calcium channels throughout the blood vessels and heart muscles. There are two types of CCBs (dihydropyridines [DHP] and non-dihydropyridines [non-DHP]) which work in different areas. The DHPs work more within the blood vessels while the non-DHPs work in the heart muscle itself. The DHPs block calcium from causing stiffening of the blood vessels. This helps to allow the blood vessels to relax and allow blood to circulate at lower pressures. The non-DHPs also work in the heart muscle to block calcium and slow down the heart rate as well as help with relaxing blood vessels.

Drug Class: ACE Inhibitors (ACEI)

Common Medication: Lisinopril

ACE Inhibitors (ACEI): Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) prevent ACE from converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II. Angiotensis II is a potent enzyme produced by the body that causes the muscles surrounding blood vessels to contract. This contraction results in a narrowing of the blood vessels and an increase in blood pressure. ACEIs lower blood pressure by preventing angiotensin II from constricting the blood vessels.

Drug Class: Angiotensis Receptor Blockers (ACEI)

Common Medication: Losartan

Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARB): Angiotensin blockers, or ARBs, are similar to ACEIs. While ACEIs prevent angiotensin I from converting into angiotensin II, ARBs simply block the action of angiotensin II. That is, the amount of angiotensin II in the body is not reduced, it is simply prevented from doing its job. Both ACEIs and ARBs accomplish the same result through different mechanism of action.