Chapter 26 Drugs for Hypertension

this system is one of the primary homeostatic mechanisms controlling blood pressure and fluid balance in the body.

Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone 

this type of hypertension is most common and also called essential hypertension. No specific cause can be identified

Primary HTN

the volume of blood pumped per minute

cardiac output

these drugs comprise a group of drugs used to treat angina pectoris, dysrhythmias, and HTN. They are useful in treating certain populations also, such as the elderly and African Americans. They work by blocking calcium ion channels; they produce vasodilation and reduced blood volume

Calcium Channel Blockers

this center in the medulla oblongata regulates blood pressure. Nerves travel from this center to the arteries, where the smooth muscle is directed to either constrict (raise BP) or relax (lower BP

Vasomotor 

a hormone from the adrenal cortex; it increases sodium reabsorption in the kidney

aldosterone

the consistent elevation of systemic arterial blood pressure

hypertension

friction in the arteries. When arteries constrict, the inside diameter or lumen becomes smaller, thus creating more resistance and higher pressure

peripheral resistance

the enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin 1 to angiotensin II.

angiotensin converting enzyme 

his hormone is a potent vasoconstrictor that can also increase blood pressure by raising blood volume; it is available by parenteral administration as the drug vasopressin

antidiuretic

receptors in the aorta and internal carotid arteries that recognize levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide and the pH in the blood

chemoreceptors

these receptors in the aorta and internal carotid artery provide vital information on conditions in the vascular system. They have the ability to sense pressure within blood vessels

baroreceptors

the amount of blood pumped by a ventricle in one contraction

Stroke volume

this type of hypertension is due to an underlying condition that is causing the blood pressure elevation. In many cases, correcting the comorbid condition will cure the associatedHTN

Secondary

one of the most potent natural vasoconstrictors known

Angiotensin 2

this is a type of tachycardia that is a compensatory response to the sudden decrease in blood pressure caused by taking drugs such as direct vasodilators

Reflex