Assignment: Hypertension

Dr. Ally, a 49-year-old professor, was diagnosed with essential hypertension 12 years ago and was on antihypertensive drugs. However, he did not take his medications last year because he was feeling just fine. In addition, he was very busy with work. Nevertheless, he felt tired after work and developed dyspnea while climbing the stairs. Recently, he had a bout of epistaxis (severe nose bleed) with dizziness and blurred vision. He went to the doctor for a checkup. His blood pressure was 180/110, and the doctor found rales or crackles on his chest upon auscultation. The doctor ordered rest and asked him to start his medication again.

What are the patient's problems?

What pathophysiological changes are happening in his eyes and heart?

According to the doctor, the patient might have developed congestive heart failure. Is it right-sided or left-sided?

What medications are likely to have been used? Describe the mechanisms of actions of at least two antihypertensive drugs.

The entire class is now registered. Be sure to submit your reports before submitting them to Discussion.

Try to learn the classification of hypertension: primary, essential and secondary; stage 1 and 2; urgent and emergency or hypertensive crisis; and also the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). I have placed a graphic presentation of the RAAS in Doc Sharing under Weekly Assignments. There are at least five major classes of anti-hypertensive drugs in common use today so be sure you discuss the mechanism of action of two of the classes (don't pick two beta-blockers or two diuretics). Mechanism of action refers to the biochemical or physiologic properties and site of action of the drug so a little detail is desirable. The RAAS diagram will help. Read the questions carefully and answer them in separate paragraphs with a two-to-three page limit not including separate title and reference pages. Don't forget to include citations, a running header and page number starting with the title page.