UMP2006 pharmacological basis of the treatment of high blood pressure Flashcards
what is hypertension defined as?
- systolic BP above 140mmHg and diastolic BP above 90mmHg
what are the 2 different types of causes of hypertension?
- essential/primary = no known cause/ many factors like environmental/genetics?
- secondary = hypertension with identifiable mechanism e.g. pheochromocytoma, primary aldosteronism, Cushing’s syndrome
what is the equation for blood pressure?
blood pressure = cardiac output x total peripheral resistance
cardiac output = stroke volume x heart rate
what is the equation for cardiac output?
- cardiac output = stroke volume x heart volume
give all the different drug classes used to treat hypertension
- alpha adrenoreceptor antagonist
- adrenergic neurone blockers
- beta blockers
- sympathetic ganglion blockers
- ACE inhibitors
- angiotensin receptor blockers
- diuretics
- nitrates
- Ca channel blockers
- K channel activators
how do Ca channel blockers treat hypertension?
- prevent Ca entry into cells which is needed for contraction, thus blood vessels relax and open more and for the heart muscle to contract less and less strongly
= decreasing total peripheral resistance and cardiac output
give some examples of Ca channel blockers (hypertension)
dihydropyridines (such as nifedipine and amlodipine) (bp only)
and the nondihydropyridines (diltiazem and verapamil) (bp and heart)
how do K channel openers treat hypertension?
- they let more K out of the cell
- this blocks the action of ATP on Katp channels which causes hyperpolarisation, preventing Ca channels from opening
- so low Ca = less contraction = relaxation
give some examples of K channel openers (hypertension)
minoxidil and diazoxide ( not used commonly)
how do nitrovasodilators treat hypertension?
- they cause the release of NO (nitric oxide) which activates guanylate cyclase which increases cGMP causing relaxation and vasodilation locally in endothelial and muscle tissue
(short term fix)
give some example of nitrovasodilators (hypertension)
Glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin), sodium nitroprusside
(not used for chronic hypertension)
give some example of a smooth muscle vasodilator and how they lowers blood pressure
- thiazide diuretics e.g. bendroflumethiazide
- lowers bp but not through diuresis
- thought to cause vasodilation but mechanism unknown
- (might be due to reduced Ca entry caused by Na depletion or by synthesis of prostaglandins, or by opening K channels)
- hydralazine ( unknown - maybe activation of guanylate cyclase)
give examples of drug classes that effect the sympathetic nervous system that reduce blood pressure
- a1 antagonists
- a2 agonists
- beta blockers
- ganglion blockers
- drugs that block catecholmine synthesis
- drugs that block storage and release of NA from presynaptic terminal
how do alpha 1 adrenoreceptor antagonists lower blood pressure?
- block effect of noradrenaline on blood vessels which constricts them, causing relaxation and vasodilation
give some examples of alpha 1 antagonists (hypertension)
Doxazosin. Prazosin. Terazosin