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.