Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
Angiotensin II Receptor Antagonist
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists, also known as ARBs (Angiotensin Receptor Blockers), are a group of pharmaceutical drugs primarily used for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure.
Pronunciation
Angiotensin: an·gio·ten·sin | \ ˌan-jē-ō-ˈten(t)-sən \ II: two | \ ˈtü \ Receptor: re·cep·tor | \ ri-ˈsep-tər \ Antagonist: an·tag·o·nist | \ an-ˈta-gə-nist \
Etymology
The term "Angiotensin" comes from the words "angio-" meaning vessel and "-tensin" meaning tension, referring to its function in constricting blood vessels. The "II" denotes the second of two forms of the hormone. "Receptor antagonist" refers to the drug's function of blocking the receptors that angiotensin II would normally bind to.
Function
Angiotensin II receptor antagonists work by inhibiting the action of Angiotensin II, a hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict and promotes the release of another hormone, aldosterone, which promotes sodium and water retention. By blocking the receptors that angiotensin II binds to, ARBs prevent these effects, leading to lower blood pressure and reduced fluid volume.
Related Terms
See Also
- ACE inhibitors, another class of drugs used to treat hypertension and heart failure
- Renin-angiotensin system, the hormonal system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
- Wikipedia's article - Angiotensin II receptor antagonist
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