Hypertension and Lung Damage

Hypertension and Lung Damage

Case 1: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of adult morbidity and mortality, accounting for 31% of deaths worldwide. The most common vascular system disorder is hypertension, defined by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association (AHA) as blood pressure >130/80 mm Hg.

A) How do antihypertensive medications interact with determinants of cardiac output and peripheral resistance to reduce blood pressure?

B) What are the most common complications of untreated or undertreated hypertension?

Case 2: The lungs interface with the environment, bringing in atmospheric air during inspiration, and expelling mixed airway and alveolar air during expiration. Gas exchange occurs in the alveoli and depends on lung mechanics as well as blood flow in taking up oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. The lungs receive all of the blood flow of the right heart, a low-pressure system that perfuses the millions of alveolar capillaries for gas exchange.

A) How does smoking-induced damage to lung tissue lead to emphysema?

B) What is the rationale for using β-agonist drugs in diseases of increased airway resistance?

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APA

Hypertension and Lung Damage

A) How do antihypertensive medications interact with determinants of cardiac output and peripheral resistance to reduce blood pressure?

Antihypertensive medications work by targeting the two key determinants of blood pressure: cardiac output and peripheral resistance.

1. Cardiac Output: Cardiac output is the volume of blood the heart pumps per minute. It is determined by heart rate and stroke volume. Antihypertensive drugs that reduce cardiac output, such as beta-blockers, decrease the heart rate (negative chronotropic effect) and contractility (negative inotropic effect). By reducing the heart’s workload, they decrease the overall cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure.
2. Peripheral Resistance: Peripheral resistance is the resistance the blood encounters in the vessels. It is largely influenced by the diameter of the arteries. Vasodilators such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), and calcium channel blockers help to relax the blood vessels, making them wider, thus reducing peripheral resistance. Diuretics also help by decreasing blood volume, reducing the fluid load on…