Hypertension Part 2 Flashcards
What are the categories of Antihypertensive medications?
- ACEIs
- ARBs
- Alpha Blockers
- Beta Blockers
- CCBs
- Diuretics
- Peripheral Vasodilators
- DRIs
How can ACEIs be identified?
They all end in “pril”
What system do ACEIs act on?
Renin Angiotensin System
How do ACEIs lower BP?
By inhibiting the enzyme in your body that normally produces Angiotensin II from producing it
How does Angiotensin II normally effect BP?
It narrows the blood vessels which raises BP
It releases hormones that raise BP
How does Angiotensin II normally effect the heart?
forces your heart to work harder
How does Angiotensin II normally effect the heart?
forces your heart to work harder
When taking ACEI what occurs?
Angiotensin II is not produced so the veins and arteries relax
What is the result of the relaxed veins and arteries after taking ACEIs?
Lower BP
How else do ACEIs help the body?
- Improve oxygen
2. Decrease remodeling
Is remodeling in the heart good?
No
When would a persons heart have remodeling occur?
Patient has MI causing the walls to thin out and/or balloon d/t damage
What is the first treatment used to prevent remodeling of the heart muscle in a person who has suffered heart damage d/t MI?
ACEI
When choosing weather to use an ACEI or another antihypertensive medication what factor is important to consider?
It is renal protective
Considering ACEIs relation to renal system, which patients would ACEIs be the best option?
Would you prescribe ACEIs even if the patient didn’t have HTN?
If these patients had a hard time tolerating ACEIs would you still prescribe them?
What would you prescribe to a patient having a hard time tolerating ACEIs?
Why would you prescribe this to a patient having a hard time tolerating ACEIs?
- Diabetics
- Yes
- Yes
- A low dose ACEI (even if only a 1/2 or 1/4 of the smallest 5mg tablet)
- It is renal protective
What is one major difference between the effects of ACEI and ARBs?
- ACEIs effect an area of the respiratory system which often results in a cough as a side effect
- ARBs do NOT effect this area of the respiratory system resulting in NO side effect of coughing
How can ARBs be identified?
They all end in “sartan”
What system do ARBs act on?
Renin Angiotensin System
How do ARBs lower BP?
They block the action of the chemical Angiotensin II
How does Angiotensin normally effect BP?
It narrows the blood vessels which increases BP
How does Angiotensin normally effect the heart?
forces the heart to work harder
How do ARBs block the action of Angiotensin II?
They block Angiotensin II receptors
What is the result when ARBs are used to block Angiotensin II receptors?
Veins and arteries to dilate
What are the results once the veins and arteries have dilated d/t ARBs blocking Angiotensin II receptors?
- Lower BP
2. Less stress on the heart
What are Alpha Blockers mainly used for?
BPH
What does BPH stand for?
Benign prostatic Hypertrophy
What is BPH?
Enlarged prostate gland
What else are Alpha Blockers used to treat? (other than BPH)
BP control
What effect do Alpha Blockers have on BP?
mild effect on BP control
How do Alpha blockers work to lower BP?
They block a hormone that delivers signals through nerve cells
What hormone do alpha blockers block to lower BP?
norepinephrine
What does the hormone norepinephrine normally cause to happen to effect BP?
It sends signals through nerve cells that tell the body’s smaller arteries and veins wall muscles to tighten
What occurs when Alpha Blockers cause norepinephrine to be blocked?
The vessels remain open and relaxed
What occurs once Alpha Blockers block norepinephrine and vessels remain open and relaxed?
- improves blood flow
2. lowers BP
Do alpha blockers cause muscles other than those of the smaller arteries and veins walls to relax?
Yes
When alpha blockers cause the relaxation of other muscles (other than those of the smaller arteries and veins walls) what other action can occur?
urine flow improves
What condition can be treated by improved urine flow?
BPH
Are alpha blockers alone (not in combination with another drug) commonly prescribed for BP control?
No
What other condition can alpha blockers be used to treat? (other than HTN and BPH)
Alpha blockers will only work for this condition if what circumstance is met?
- HF
2. Must be used in combination with a specific beta blocker
What is the generic name and brand name for the beta blocker used in combination with an alpha blocker to treat HF?
carvedilol (Coreg)
What are Beta Blockers primarily used for?
What are they NOT primarily used for?
- CAD or HF
2. HTN
Are beta blockers a large or small category of medications?
large
What are Beta blockers, also known as?
beta-adrenergic blocking agents
How do Beta blockers lower BP?
By blocking the effects of a hormone
What hormone do Beta blockers block the effects of?
epinephrine
What is epinephrine also known as?
adrenaline
What results when beta blockers are used to treat and the effects of epinephrine become blocked?
- Veins and arteries dilate
- Lower HR
- Heart beats with less force
What results when the veins and arteries dilate, the HR lowers, and the heart beats with less force after the effects of epinephrine are blocked by beta blockers?
- Improved blood flow
2. Lower BP