How does ace inhibitors reduce conjestive heart failure?!
Question: ace inhibitors block the enzyme tzt convert angiotension 1 to angiotension 2.....ny diong this it causes vasodilation,,which reduces work load on heart...person feels well
Answers: ace inhibitors block the enzyme tzt convert angiotension 1 to angiotension 2.....ny diong this it causes vasodilation,,which reduces work load on heart...person feels well
Well... I will try to put it in basic english for you...
With congestive heart failure... the heart muscled has become weakened, either by age, heart attack that damaged the muscle, surgery, ect.
The heart does not pump as well as it used to... the body recognizes the lack of perfusion (blood flow) to the organs / systems...
The body then tries to COMPENSATE for this lack of perfursion...
There are several Compensatory Mechanisms associated with Heart Failure...
One of those is the release of a substance called Renin. It comes from the kidneys. The kidneys are very sensitive to changes in blood flow and if they sense a lack of perfusion, they will secrete Renin in an attempt to correct the problem.
Renin converts Angiotensinogen to Angiotensin I. Angiotensin 1 is pretty inactive... until it is converted by Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) which is made by the lungs. ACE then converts it to Angiotensin II. Angiotensin 2 is a powerful vasoconstrictor. Vasoconstrictor means that it causes the arteries and vessels to constrict or clamp down in an effort to increase the blood pressure. Additionally it will cause the Adrenal glands to secrete a hormone called Aldosterone, which causes the kidneys to retain Sodium and water, thus increasing the blood pressure further. This is temporarily good, since that the heart will have an easier time in pumping blood to the organs/systems. The kidneys will then be better perfused. However... over time.... the strength needed to pump against the constricted arteries weakens the heart further. An already weak heart becomes weaker and less able to pump. NOT GOOD! This compensatory mechanism which is intended to work in favor of the body, actually begins to work against us.
So this is where the drugs known as ACE Inhibitors come into play... by blocking ACE, the Angiotensin 1 does not convert to Angiotensin 2... Angiotensin 1 is the mild, inactive substance... so thereby there is no increase in blood pressure... and the effect of the drug is a lowered blood pressure!
Hope this makes sense for ya!
Good Luck
Nurse Angie