The patient has been prescribed enalapril for hypertension. The patient asks the nurse how the medication lowers blood pressure. The nurse understands that ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure through:

Explanation

• ACE inhibitors block the actions of aldosterone and angiotensin II

• Aldosterone is responsible for sodium and water retention in the kidneys. Angiotensin II causes potent vasoconstriction. Blocking these allows vasodilation and the excretion of sodium and water, lowering blood pressure

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