Antihypertensives Flashcards
Preload
Volume of blood in ventricles at the end of diastole
Afterload
Resistance left ventricle must overcome to circulate blood
Highest Contributor to Hypertension
Atherosclerosis
Normal Blood Pressure
S < 120
D < 80
Prehypertension
S 120-139
D 80-89
Stage 1 Hypertension
S 140-159
D 90-99
Stage 2 Hypertension
S > 160
D > 100
Primary Hypertension
No identifiable cause
Chronic, progressive disorder
Secondary Hypertension
Identifiable primary cause
Possible to treat the cause directly
Hypertension Medication Guidelines
Start medications in lowest available dose
Change medication groups instead of increasing dose if 1st medication is ineffective
Medication dosages are patient-specific
Clonidine and Methyldopa
Centrally acting adrenergic drugs
Stimulate alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the brain
Decrease sympathetic outflow from CNS
Results in decreased BP
Methyldopa
Treats pregnancy-induced hypertension
Clonidine
Also used for opioid withdrawal
Metaprolol
Beta blocker
Reduces heart rate through beta-1 receptor blockade
Causes reduced secretion of renin
Long-term use causes reduced peripheral vascular resistance
Labetalol and Carvedilol
Dual-action alpha-1 and beta receptor blockers
Used for increased blood pressure
Dual antihypertensive effects of reduction in heart rate (beta-1 receptor blockade) and vasodilation (alpha-1 receptor blockade)
Carvedilol
Used for hypertension, mild to moderate heart failure in conjunction with digoxin, diuretics, and ACE inhibitors
Widely used drug that is well tolerated