antihypertensive (redirected from antihypertensive drug)

antihypertensive /an·ti·hy·per·ten·sive/ (-ten´siv) counteracting high blood pressure, or an agent that does this.

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an·ti·hy·per·ten·sive (nt-hpr-tnsv, ant-)

adj.

Reducing high blood pressure.

n.

A drug or treatment that reduces high blood pressure.

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Antihypertensive

Used to describe drugs or treatments designed to control hypertension, or high blood pressure.

Mentioned in: Hyperaldosteronism

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antihypertensive

[-hī·pərten′siv]

1 pertaining to a substance or procedure that reduces high blood pressure.

2 an antihypertensive agent. Various drugs achieve their antihypertensive effect by depleting tissue stores of catecholamines in peripheral sites, by stimulating pressor receptors in the carotid sinus and heart, by blocking autonomic nerve impulses that constrict blood vessels, by stimulating central inhibitory alpha₂ receptors, or by causing vasodilation. Thiazides and other diuretic agents inhibit the reabsorption of sodium in the renal tubules, increasing urinary excretion of sodium and decreasing plasma and extracellular fluid volume, decreasing blood volume. Drugs that act on adrenergic control of blood pressure include beta-adrenergic blocking agents, which act at beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart and kidneys to reduce cardiac output and renin secretion; and others that act on alpha-adrenergic mechanisms in the central or sympathetic nervous system to reduce peripheral vascular resistance. Vasodilatators act directly on the arterioles to produce the same effect. Other drugs used to treat hypertension are HCl, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, nonnitrate vasodilators, calcium channel blockers, and angiotensin receptor blockers. Almost every case of hypertension can be controlled by one of these drugs or a combination of them. The proper combination is determined by the response of the individual. In some cases, several drugs must be tried before the right combination is found. Compare antihypotensive.

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antihypertensive,

n a medicine or substance that reduces blood pressure.

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antihypertensive

acting to reduce tension; in medical terms, usually referring to elevated blood pressure. Drugs used for this purpose include diuretics, β-adrenergic antagonists, and vasodilators.

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antihypertensive

adjective Referring to an agent or mechanism that reduces HTN noun An agent used to manage HTN