This post features a collection of videos that provide a visual approach on cardiovascular pharmacology for student nurses, specifically on anti-hypertensives affecting RAAS.
Cardiovascular pharmacology deals with the study of the effects of drugs upon the heart or circulatory system. Cardiovascular medicines help to prevent and treat cardiovascular disease, slow the progression of it as well as treat its symptoms whilst providing a better quality of life and increasing life expectancy.
Types of Cardiovascular Drugs include:
- Anti-Hypertensive Drugs
- Anti-Angina Drugs
- Anti-Arrhythmic Drugs
- Anti-Coagulants
- Anti-Hyperlipidaemic Drugs
Anti-Hypertensive Drugs are further sub-divided into 4 categories, namely:
Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone Inhibitors
Adregenic System Inhibitors
Diuretics
Direct Vasodilators
Below you can find a collection of videos that can help provide a more visual approach to cardiovascular pharmacology, specifically on the Anti-Hypertensive Drugs – Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone Inhibitors RAAS.
RAAS – Renin-Angiotensin Aldosterone System
The RAAS system regulates the blood volume and the systemic vascular resistance, affecting the cardiac output (bloodflow) and arterial pressure, and impacting Renin, Angiotensin and Aldosterone.
ACE Inhibitors:
ACE inhibitors end with _pril eg. Enalapril, Lisinopril, Perindopril.
- Block the conversion of Angiotensin 1 to Angiotensin 2 = decrease in BP, peripheral volume, heart workload, blood volume, aldosterone secretion.
- INDICATIONS: hypertension, heart failure, left ventricular hypertrophy.
- SIDE EFFECTS: headache, dizziness, tiredness, hypotension (especially after 1st dose; ideally administer before going to bed at night), reflex tachycardia, arrhythmias, decreased renal function, dry persistent non-productive cough, angioedema (breathing problems), rash, taste disturbances, hyperkalaemia.
- NURSING INTERVENTION: avoid abrupt stopping of medication, take 1hr before or 2hrs after a meal, monitor patients with risk of dehydration, check blood profile for electrolytes and creatinine, monitor BP, avoid NSAIDs to minimise renal damage risk, stop additional K+ sparing diuretics and K+ supplements as they would increase the risk for hyperkalaemia.
ARBs – Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers:
ARBs end with _sartans eg. Candesartan, Losartan, Eprosartan.
- Block Angiotensin II from binding with receptors in the smooth muscles of the heart and blood vessels = reduction in vasoconstriction, aldosterone secretion, catecholamine release, cell growth and BP.
- No effect on bradykinin thus no non-productive cough is experienced as a side effect.
- INDICATIONS: hypertension, HF, LVF (left ventricular failure), patients unable to take ACE inhibitors eg. those experiencing dry cough.
- ADVERSE EFFECTS: headache, dizziness, weakness, orthostatic hypotension, URTI (upper respiratory tract infections), mild cough, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, dry mouth, tooth pain, rash, alopecia, dry skin.
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System (RAAS)
ACE Inhibitors
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers ARBs
Special thanks to the creator of the featured videos on this post, specifically Youtube Channel Registered Nurse RN.
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Claire is keen about public education on health-related subjects as well as holistic patient-centered care. She is also passionate about spreading awareness on the negative effects that domestic abuse leaves on its victims’ mental, emotional, social and physical wellbeing.
Claire aspires to continue studying following completion of her Nursing Degree, because she truly believes in lifelong education.
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