ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG Meaning and
Definition
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An antihypertensive drug, also referred to as an antihypertensive agent or antihypertensive medication, is a substance or pharmaceutical compound that is used to treat hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure. Hypertension is a condition characterized by sustained elevated blood pressure levels, which can lead to various health complications if left untreated.
Antihypertensive drugs work by lowering blood pressure, thereby reducing the strain on the heart and blood vessels. There are several classes of antihypertensive drugs available, including diuretics, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and direct renin inhibitors.
Diuretics help eliminate excess fluid and salt from the body, reducing the volume of blood and therefore lowering blood pressure. Beta-blockers block certain nerve signals that can increase heart rate and constrict blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the muscle cells of the heart and blood vessels, relaxing them and decreasing blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs intervene in the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, a complex hormonal system that regulates blood pressure, by blocking the action of certain enzymes or receptors, respectively. Direct renin inhibitors inhibit an enzyme involved in the production of a hormone important for blood pressure regulation. Each class of antihypertensive drug has its mechanism of action and specific indications, and they can be used individually or in combination to achieve optimal blood pressure control.
Antihypertensive drugs are commonly prescribed by healthcare professionals after assessing a patient's overall health condition, severity of hypertension, and potential risk factors. Regular blood pressure monitoring and medication adjustments may be necessary to ensure optimal control of hypertension and minimize the risk
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Etymology of ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUG
The term "antihypertensive drug" is a compound word composed of two parts:
1. "Anti-": Derived from the Greek prefix "anti", meaning "against" or "opposite of". In this context, it implies the drug's action of acting against or opposing hypertension.
2. "Hypertensive": Derived from the combination of the Latin roots "hyper", meaning "excessive" or "above normal", and "tensus", meaning "stretched" or "tightened". Therefore, "hypertensive" refers to a condition characterized by high or elevated blood pressure.
By combining "anti-" and "hypertensive", the term "antihypertensive" refers to a drug that counters or reduces high blood pressure.
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