Hypertension and Heart Drugs Overview

📋 Course Outline

1. Hypertension Pathophysiology
2. Antihypertensive Drug Classes
3. Diuretics Mechanisms
4. ACE Inhibitors and ARBs
5. Calcium Channel Blockers
6. Beta Blockers Uses
7. Arrhythmia Types and Causes
8. Vaughan Williams Classification
9. Class I Antiarrhythmics
10. Class III Antiarrhythmics
11. Dyslipidemia and Lipoproteins
12. Statins Mechanism and Use

📖 1. Hypertension Pathophysiology

🔑 Key Concepts & Definitions

• Hypertension: A chronic condition characterized by persistently elevated blood pressure, typically ≥130/80 mmHg, increasing risk for cardiovascular events.
• Primary (Essential) Hypertension: Hypertension with no identifiable secondary cause, resulting from complex interactions of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
• Secondary Hypertension: Elevated BP caused by an underlying condition such as renal disease, endocrine disorders, or medication effects.
• Vasoconstriction: Narrowing of blood vessels due to contraction of vascular smooth muscle, leading to increased peripheral resistance and BP.
• Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS): Hormonal cascade that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance; overactivation contributes to hypertension.
• Peripheral Resistance: The resistance to blood flow in the small arteries and arterioles, a key determinant of systemic blood pressure.

📝 Essential Points