So You Already Suffer from High Blood Pressure...Pt II

In the last post you were introduced to five groups of anti-hypertensive medication:

1. Diuretics
2. Calcium Channel Blockers
3. ACE Inhibitors
4. Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
5. Beta-Adrenoreceptor Antagonists.

We touched on the first two, for a refresher click here.

In this post we'll be touching on ACE Inhibitors, also known as Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors, Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists, and Beta-Adrenoreceptor Antagonists.

courtesy hotwallpaperz.com

• ACE INHIBITORS

To understand how ACE (Angiotensin Converting Enzyme) Inhibitors function to lower blood pressure, it is important to have an idea of what Angiotensin is.

Angiotensin is nothing more than a protein in the body, there are two types, Angiotensin I and Angiotensin II. Angiotensin I is made from a hormonal reaction in the kidneys, when the body detects that blood pressure is low. After being produced, Angiotensin I is converted to Angiotensin II by an enzyme in the lungs known as the Angiotensin Converting Enzyme.

Angiotensin II is the most powerful substance known to constrict blood vessels, thereby increasing blood pressure. 

Now think of the name of the medication, Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors. 
Can you guess where I am going with this in terms of how this anti-hypertensive medication functions?

ACE inhibitors literally block the enzyme which is its namesake, from converting Angiotensin I to Angiotensin II, therefore, no Angiotensin II, no increase in blood pressure.

Brand Name                                           Scientific Name  

Capoten                                                                  Captopril

Prinivil, Zestril                                                       Lisinopril

Lotensin                                                                    Benzaepril

Univasc                                                                     Moexipril

Read more here.

• ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

The Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists have a similar approach as the ACE Inhibitors to lowering blood pressure, but it goes a step further.

In order for Angiotensin II to carry out constriction of the blood vessels or vaso-constriction it would have to first attatch itself to receptors on found on the arteries. This is where this anti-hypertensive medication comes in; since they are antagonists. This simply means they will compete with Angiotensin II for attatchment to the receptor on the arteries. As they bind to the receptor, they prevent Angiotensin II from causing vessel constriction, therefore causing blood pressure to be lowered.

Brand Name                                           Scientific Name  

Diovan                                                                      Valsartan

Cozaar                                                                         Losartan

Teveten                                                                      Eprosartan 

Click here to read more.

• BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR ANTAGONISTS

Do you remember the term antagonist? Scroll upwards if you don't its highlighted in red.
Beta adrenoceptor Antagonists drugs follow the same principle as the Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists. They compete with certain hormones at their attatchment sites in order to lower blood pressure.
The hormones in question are norepinephrine and epinephrine, also known as adrenaline.

Courtesy thinkingonthemargin.blogspot.com

Ever heard the term fight or flight? Well these are the hormones responsible for that reaction.

Norepeniphrine and adrenaline (epinephrine) are released from our nerve endings all over the body and function as neurotransmitters since they help our nerves to communicate in their own way. They are also released into the blood, and their effects as stress hormones are most popularly documented in the fight or flight reaction just mentioned.

So... how do the beta-adrenoreceptors medications function? 

They block norepinephrine and adrenaline from binding to the beta receptors found, for example on the cells of the heart, blood vessels, kidney amongst other sites, by binding to them. In doing so, they reduce the narrowing of blood vessels, and decrease the force at which the heart pumps blood, causing the blood pressure to become lower.

Brand Name                                           Scientific Name  

Tenormin                                                               Atenolol
Inderal, InnoPran                                              Propanolol
Trandate, Normodyne                                             Labetolol
Corgard                                                                      Nadolol
Coreg                                                                         Carvedilol
Lopressor, Toprol-XL                                              Metoprolol                        
                                                                                
For more information click here... and click here, as well.

There you go. 
You should now have a general idea about the five groups of high blood pressure medication:

1. Diuretics
2. Calcium Channel Blockers
3. ACE Inhibitors
4. Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonists
5. Beta-Adrenoreceptor Antagonists.

You could be using any of the medication in these groups to currently to treat your hypertension. Remember I've not included any side effects, so look those up! That would be your homework. :)

If you would like to review to first two groups previously discussed click here.  
Remember to keep interested in what medications you are using, why they help you, and what possible side-effects they may have.
Its all well and good to ask your doctor, never be afraid to, always ask questions, but also be interested enough in your body to do the research, self-education is a beautiful thing.

Blessings to you and yours, 

#wadadlianstrong

©April 2014