Final answer:
Medications such as overprescribed or overdosed beta blockers and other drugs can lead to a hypertensive crisis by affecting cardiovascular system functions. However, ACE inhibitors are commonly used to manage high blood pressure and prevent severe complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypertensive crisis is a severe elevation in blood pressure that can lead to potential organ damage. Certain medications can trigger this condition by various mechanisms. For instance, inappropriate usage or overdose of drugs that affect the cardiovascular system, like beta blockers, may lead to a hypertensive crisis. Beta blockers work by blocking beta-1 receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure. While they are intended to treat hypertension, their overprescription can result in negative effects including bradycardia and, in extreme cases, heart stoppage. Overdoses of prescription, over-the-counter, or illegal drugs are also risks for hypertensive crises.Conversely, there are effectively used drugs in hospital settings, like IV drips, to manage a hypertensive crisis and lower blood pressure in patients at risk for heart failure. ACE inhibitors, which block the angiotensin converting enzyme, are notable for preventing the formation of angiotensin II, helping in reducing high blood pressure risks and preventing complications linked to uncontrolled hypertension such as hypertensive retinopathy and myocardial infarction.