Patient was educated on losartan and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Angiotensin II binds to the angiotensin II receptors in the blood vessels and lead to narrowing or constriction of blood vessels. Narrowing of the blood vessels results in increased blood pressure.
- Losartan blocks angiotensin II receptors in the blood vessels. Blocking of these receptors by losartan lead to inhibition of narrowing or constriction of blood vessels, which results in reduced blood pressure.
- Reduced blood pressure contributes to reduced load on the heart. Losartan is used in conditions, such as, elevated blood pressure, increased work load on the heart, and heart failure, as it reduces the blood pressure and work load on the heart.
- Also, Losartan, by inhibiting narrowing of blood vessels, helps to keep them open and patent, and consequently lead to improved blood flow to the vital organs, such as, heart, brain and kidneys.
- By reducing the blood pressure and improving blood flow to these end organs, losartan helps with reducing the risk for heart attack, stroke and slow down the progression of renal failure in individuals with compromised renal function.
