Final answer:
The first medication typically prescribed to a patient with hypertension is an antihypertensive, which may include thiazide-diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors, or ARBs, depending on the individual's health profile.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a patient with hypertension cannot control their blood pressure with weight loss and dietary changes, the first medication prescribed is often one from the class of antihypertensive medications. These first-line medications for treating hypertension include thiazide-diuretics, calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors), and ARBs (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers).
Thiazide-diuretics work by helping the kidneys to remove fluid from the body, reducing the volume of blood and thus the blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers relax and widen blood vessels by preventing calcium from entering the cells of the heart and arteries. ACE inhibitors help to relax blood vessels by blocking the formation of a hormone that narrows blood vessels, and ARBs block the action of the hormone itself. The specific choice among these options may depend on the individual patient’s health profile and the presence of comorbid conditions.
It is also important to note that most people require more than one medication to effectively control their hypertension. If the first medication does not bring the blood pressure to target levels, a stepped care approach to treatment may be used, adding other medications as needed.