C H A P T E R 4 3
Drugs affecting blood pressure
679
hypertension often has no signs or symptoms, it is
called the silent killer.
■■
Essential hypertension has no underlying cause,
and treatment can vary widely from individual to
individual. Treatment approaches include lifestyle
changes first, followed by careful addition and
adjustment of various antihypertensive drugs.
■■
Drug treatment of hypertension is aimed at altering
one or more of the normal reflexes that control
blood pressure: diuretics decrease sodium levels and
volume; sympathetic nervous system drugs alter the
sympathetic response and lead to vascular dilation
and decreased pumping power of the heart; ACE
inhibitors prevent the conversion of angiotensin I
to angiotensin II; ARBs prevent the body from
responding to angiotensin II; renin inhibitors directly
block the effects of renin; calcium channel blockers
interfere with the ability of muscles to contract and
lead to vasodilation; and vasodilators directly cause
the relaxation of vascular smooth muscle.
■■
Hypotension is a state of lower-than-normal blood
pressure that can result in decreased oxygenation of
the tissues, cell death, tissue damage and even death.
■■
Hypotension is most often treated with
sympathomimetic drugs, which stimulate the
sympathetic receptor sites to cause vasoconstriction,
fluid retention and return of normal pressure.
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ONLINE RESOURCES
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WEB LINKS
Healthcare providers and students may want to consult
the following Internet sources:
Information on Australian Government, National
Health Priority—Cardiovascular health.
Information on research, alternative methods
of therapy and pharmacology.
Information on research, alternative methods of
therapy and pharmacology.
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