Question

Lowering the heart rate is a predominant mechanism of action in which of the following antihypertensive medications?Select all that apply

a) hydralazine
b)Esmolol
c)Nitroglycerin
d)Labetalol

Answer 1

Esmolol and Labetalol are antihypertensive medications that primarily lower heart rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The antihypertensive medications that primarily lower heart rate are:

• Esmolol: This medication is a beta-blocker that specifically blocks the beta-1 receptors in the heart. By blocking these receptors, it reduces the effects of adrenaline and slows down the heart rate.
• Labetalol: This medication is a non-selective beta-blocker that blocks both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors. By blocking the beta-1 receptors in the heart, it reduces heart rate.

Hydralazine and nitroglycerin do not primarily lower heart rate. Hydralazine is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels, while nitroglycerin is a nitrate medication that primarily affects coronary blood flow. On the other hand, Hydralazine and Nitroglycerin work through different mechanisms; Hydralazine is a direct vasodilator, and Nitroglycerin primarily works by releasing nitric oxide to dilate blood vessels, particularly veins, to reduce cardiac preload, but neither primarily lowers heart rate.