Which medication category is typically indicated for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure?

Diuretics are a category of medication that is often indicated for the treatment of hypertension and heart failure. They work by promoting the excretion of sodium and water from the kidneys, which reduces blood volume and, consequently, lowers blood pressure. In heart failure, diuretics help manage fluid overload and edema, improving symptoms and enhancing the patient’s quality of life.

While beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and ACE inhibitors are also used to treat hypertension and heart failure, diuretics specifically address fluid balance and are often a first-line treatment for managing excess fluid. Beta blockers help decrease heart rate and contractility, calcium channel blockers reduce vascular resistance, and ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure, but none of these directly influence fluid excretion to the extent diuretics do.