T3 L11: Treatment for hypertension Flashcards
What are the 6 types of drugs used to treat hypertension?
ACE inhibitors, Angiotensin receptor blockers, Ca2+ channel antagonists, diuretics, beta blockers, and vasodilators
What is the 1st stage hypertension prescription for a white person aged <55?
ACE inhibitors
What is the 1st stage hypertension prescription for someone >55 or of black origin?
Ca2+ blockers
What is the 2nd stage prescription for hypertension?
ACE inhibitors and Ca2+ blockers
What is the 3rd stage prescription for hypertension?
A combination of ACE inhibitors, Ca2+ blockers and a thiazide-like diuretic
What is the 4th stage prescription for hypertension?
A combination of ACE inhibitors, Ca2+ blockers, thiazide-like diuretic plus a further diuretic or alpha/beta blocker. At this point you would seek expert advise
What is resistant hypertension?
When treatment for hypertension has failed even after the all the stages. It requires expert advice
What is the biggest side effect of ACE inhibitors and what is the mechanism behind it?
A dry cough. It develops because ACE inhibitors stop the action of Kinase 2 so substance P and bradykinin can’t be turned into inactive peptides so they build up and cause irritation
What is meant by 1st dose hypotension and how is this minimised?
A drug will act on different areas of the body causing sudden hypotension while the body gets used to the hypertension drugs. This is minimised by getting the patient to take the first dose at night
How are renal impairments prevented when someone is taking ACE inhibitors?
Renal function is taken before the prescription begins to measure creatine levels because it should be getting cleared by the kidneys
How do ACE inhibitors affect renal function?
They cause dilation of the efferent arteriole which causes decreased pressure and therefore impaired renal function
Why are ACE inhibitors good for diabetics?
Ace inhibitors have no effect on serum glucose or lipids so they protect from diabetic nephropathy
What are -pril drugs?
ACE inhibitors
When are ACE inhibitors used?
For people aged <55 and at any age when a patients is at risk of diabetes or cardiovascular disease
How do ACE inhibitors cause hyperalkalaemia?
They cause increased K+ uptake in the kidneys because of the decreased angiotensin II activity. This can lead to seizures
How do ABR’s (Angiotensin receptor antagonists (blockers)) work?
They block the action of angiotensin II by working on the AT1-R (receptor)
What is the main side effect of ABR’s?
Hypokalaemia so it requires monitoring
What type of drug is Spironolactone and when is it used?
It’s an ARB (Angiotensin receptor blocker) used as an add on for resistant hypertension and frontline for patients with primary aldosteronism
What is aldosteronism?
When the adrenal glands produce too much aldosterone leading to high blood pressure
What is the function of aldosterone?
It’s a steroid hormone that regulates salt and water in the body and therefore has an effect on blood pressure
When are Ca2+ blockers used?
For those >55 or of black descent
How do Ca2+ blockers of class dihydropyridines work?
They block L-type Ca2+ channels on smooth muscle of arterioles. This causes decrease in peripheral resistance