Introduction to Antihypertensives
Hypertension is defined as persistent systolic blood pressure (SBP) of greater than 140 mm Hg and/or a
diastolic blood
... [Show More] pressure (DBP) greater than 90 mm Hg. It is a major risk factor for coronary artery disease,
cardiovascular disease (CVD), and death resulting from cardiovascular causes. It is the most important risk
factor for stroke and heart failure, and it is also a major risk factor for renal failure and peripheral vascular
disease.
Elevated blood pressure is under the control of the sympathetic nervous system. The receptors in the SNS are
called adrenergic or noradrenergic receptors (i.e., alpha or beta receptors). Adrenergic receptors are stimulated
by norepinephrine and epinephrine.
Due to the complexity of hypertension, multiple classes of medications are available that target different factors
and processes that contribute to hypertension. As such, drug therapy must be individualized to meet the unique
physiologic and lifestyle needs of each person.
By completing the antihypertensive medication application activities, the learner will gain the knowledge and
skills needed to:
State the therapeutic use of select antihypertensive medications
Describe how select antihypertensive medications work
List the expected pharmacologic actions of select antihypertensive medications
Discuss how to safely administer select antihypertensive medications
Identify side effects of select antihypertensive medications
Anticipate what could go wrong when administering select antihypertensive medications
Identify the generic and trade names of select medications used to treat antihypertensive disorders
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Nearly 1 out of 2 adults in the United States has hypertension (108 million).
Many adults in the United States for whom hypertension medication is recommended are untreated and
may need both a prescription and to start taking it (30 million).
Many adults in the United States who are already treated with hypertension medication may need their
current medication dosage increased or to be prescribed additional medications to achieve blood
pressure control (31 million). More than half of this group have a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg or
higher (17 million).
Many adults with hypertension in the United States are recommended lifestyle modifications only (21
million).
Most adults with hypertension in the United States are recommended prescription medication with
lifestyle modifications (87 million).
Most adults with hypertension in the United States do not have their hypertension under control (82
million). This includes 21 million adults who are recommended lifestyle modifications only and 61
million adults who are recommended prescription medication and lifestyle modifications.
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