From this article you will learn all the important information about the Kapoten tablets: from what and how they help. At what diseases they are prescribed, what symptoms they help to remove.
Kapoten is an inhibitor of the angiotensin-converting enzyme( ACE inhibitor).Its main effect is a decrease in pressure.
The drug has side effects and contraindications, so take it only as directed by the treating cardiologist or therapist.
These tablets are prescribed for patients suffering from the following diseases:
- hypertension, including nephrogenic( "renal pressure");
- chronic heart failure( as part of a comprehensive treatment);
- left ventricular failure, including due to a heart attack;
- diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetes.
Kapoten with hypertension
Tablets help to significantly reduce blood pressure due to two mechanisms:
- Do not allow the vessels to narrow. The drug blocks the enzyme that converts angiotensin 1 to angiotensin 2. Angiotensin 2 is a substance that narrows the blood vessels, thereby increasing the pressure. Since the blocking of the angiotensin-converting enzyme does not produce the same amount of angiotensin 2, the pressure does not increase.
- Expand the vessels. This effect is achieved by increasing the level of bradykinin, prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide in the blood - bioactive substances that reduce the tone of the vessels and expand them.
Mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors Thanks to this mechanism of action, Kapoten not only prevents the pressure from rising, but also reduces it if it has already risen.
This drug is especially effective in hypertension, which arose against the background of kidney diseases. With renal pathologies, the production of renin, a substance that, when combined with angiotensin produced by the liver, forms angiotensin 1, is increased. Angiotensin 1 is converted into angiotensin 2 by the action of the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Angiotensin 2 and causes an increase in blood pressure, in themselves renin, angiotensin and angiotensin 1 have such an effect. Kapoten, blocking angiotensin-converting enzyme, prevents an increase in the level of angiotensin 2.
However, from the kidney itself it does not help much. This medicine only eliminates hypertension caused by kidney diseases, and by reducing the pressure relieves excessive burden on the kidneys. If you stop taking pills, high blood pressure will again be felt. To completely get rid of nephrogenic hypertension, it is necessary to treat the underlying kidney disease, and the ACE inhibitor should be taken as an addition to the main therapy - as a symptomatic treatment of high blood pressure.
Kapoten for chronic heart failure
How and what helps the drug for chronic heart failure:
- Lower blood pressure if it is increased( the mechanism of this effect is described in the previous section).
- Remove edema. Kapoten reduces the level of the hormone of the adrenal glands of aldosterone, thereby reducing the delay of sodium, and, accordingly, water in the body.
- Reduce shortness of breath and prevent cardiac asthma. Due to a decrease in pressure in the small( pulmonary) circle.
- Improve blood circulation. By expanding the blood vessels and increasing the volume of blood ejected by the heart.
Extended and spasmodic artery Kapoten after a heart attack
It is used not in the acute phase of the disease, but when the patient is already in a stable state. Usually the agent can be taken as early as 3 days after the infarction.
Tablets are needed to prevent heart failure caused by necrosis of the myocardium. They improve blood circulation, prevent stagnation of blood in small and large circles, as well as swelling, increase the fraction of left ventricular ejection.
Also, Kapoten prevents repeated infarction, as it dilates blood vessels, including coronary vessels, and normalizes the blood supply to the heart muscle.
Kapoten in diabetic nephropathy
Diabetic nephropathy is a renal vascular disease that occurs against the background of diabetes.
The drug for this pathology is prescribed to improve blood circulation in the kidneys by removing the spasm of blood vessels. And also to lower the pressure, increased due to kidney damage.
Taking an ACE inhibitor with diabetic nephropathy significantly improves prognosis: reduces the risk of requiring hemodialysis or kidney transplant.