Antihypotensive
Antihypotensive
Antihypotensive agents are medications used to treat low blood pressure, also known as hypotension. These agents work by various mechanisms to increase blood pressure and improve blood flow to vital organs. Hypotension can be a result of various conditions, including dehydration, heart problems, endocrine disorders, and severe infections. Antihypotensive drugs are crucial in managing acute and chronic hypotensive states.
Mechanism of Action[edit | edit source]
Antihypotensive agents can work through several mechanisms:
- Vasoconstrictors: These drugs, such as norepinephrine and phenylephrine, constrict blood vessels, increasing vascular resistance and thereby raising blood pressure.
- Volume Expanders: Agents like intravenous fluids and albumin increase blood volume, which can help raise blood pressure in cases of hypovolemia.
- Inotropes: Drugs such as dopamine and dobutamine increase the force of heart contractions, improving cardiac output and blood pressure.
- Mineralocorticoids: Fludrocortisone is used to increase sodium retention, which helps increase blood volume and pressure.
Indications[edit | edit source]
Antihypotensive agents are indicated in various clinical scenarios, including:
- Acute Hypotension: Such as in shock or severe dehydration.
- Chronic Hypotension: Conditions like Addison's disease or orthostatic hypotension.
- Postural Hypotension: Often seen in elderly patients or those on certain medications.
Side Effects[edit | edit source]
The use of antihypotensive agents can lead to several side effects, including:
- Hypertension: Overcorrection of blood pressure can lead to high blood pressure.
- Arrhythmias: Some agents, particularly inotropes, can cause irregular heartbeats.
- Tissue Necrosis: Vasoconstrictors can cause tissue damage if extravasation occurs.
Monitoring[edit | edit source]
Patients on antihypotensive therapy require careful monitoring of:
- Blood Pressure: To ensure therapeutic levels are achieved without causing hypertension.
- Heart Rate: Especially with inotropes, to detect arrhythmias early.
- Electrolytes: Particularly with volume expanders and mineralocorticoids.
Also see[edit | edit source]
Cardiovascular disease A-Z
Most common cardiac diseases
- Cardiac arrhythmia
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- Pericardial disorders
- Syndromes affecting the heart
- Valvular heart disease
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
A[edit source]
- Accelerated idioventricular rhythm
- Acute decompensated heart failure
- Arteriosclerotic heart disease
- Athletic heart syndrome
- Atrial flutter
- Atrioventricular fistula
- Cardiovascular disease in Australia
- Autoimmune heart disease
B[edit source]
C[edit source]
- Ebb Cade
- Cardiac allograft vasculopathy
- Cardiac amyloidosis
- Cardiac asthma
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- Cardiogeriatrics
- Cardiorenal syndrome
- Cardiotoxicity
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D[edit source]
E[edit source]
H[edit source]
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
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- Heart to Heart (1949 film)
- High-output heart failure
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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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- Idiopathic giant-cell myocarditis
- Interventricular dyssynchrony
- Intraventricular dyssynchrony
- Isolated atrial amyloidosis
K[edit source]
L[edit source]
M[edit source]
- Mydicar
- Myocardial bridge
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- Myocarditis
N[edit source]
O[edit source]
P[edit source]
- Papillary fibroelastoma
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R[edit source]
S[edit source]
- Saturated fat and cardiovascular disease
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A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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