Drugs and hypertension Flashcards
Which group of drugs lower blood pressure?
Antihypertensive
Why treat hypertension?
Reduce the risk of stroke, angina, kidney failure and myocardial infarction.
In what cases would you treat hypertension earlier? i.e. systolic sustained at 140-159 mmHg
CV diseases, diabetes or organ damage
How do you calculate BP?
BP= cardiac output X total peripheral resistance
How do you reduce cardiac output?
Reducing heart rate, stroke volume and plasma volume
How do we reduce total peripheral resistance?
Dilate arterioles
What are the 6 types of antihypertensive drugs?
Diuretics, vasodilators, B-blockers, ACE inhibitors, alpha blockers and angiotensin antag.
How do diuretics work to lower blood pressure?
Act on the kidney to increase urine output. This is done by increasing excretion of Na+ to increase water loss and reduce plasma volume thus decreasing cardiac output & BP.
