Candesartana: Common Treatment For Hypertension

Candesartan is an orally administered medication to control blood pressure in patients suffering from hypertension. It belongs to the family of angiotensin II receptor antagonists, also known as ARA-II.

This type of medication is often used ​​in cases where patients cannot tolerate treatment with ACE inhibitors or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Treatment based on the administration of ACE inhibitors usually causes dry cough or induction of angioedema. In these cases, the treatment is changed to ARA-II.

On the other hand, candesartan is an active metabolite of the prodrug candesartan cilexetil, administered orally. After undergoing a series of chemical reactions, it is transformed into the active principle itself, which triggers the action.

Candesartan to treat hypertension and heart failure

Although it is mainly used for the treatment of hypertension, this medication is also indicated for patients with heart failure.

In this sense, the results of the CHARM study, carried out in early 2000, demonstrated the clinical efficacy of candesartan in reducing morbidity and mortality when administered for the treatment of heart failure.

Thus, although ACE inhibitors are not yet considered a first-line therapy in heart failure, candesartan is useful and effective in these cardiac conditions.

Let’s see in more detail what these two pathologies consist of.

What is hypertension?

High blood pressure is a condition that occurs with the continuous or sustained elevation of blood pressure levels. It is diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure is 140 mm Hg or greater, and the diastolic blood pressure is above 90 mm Hg.

To understand it better, it is important to know the concept of blood pressure. The heart puts pressure on the arteries so that they carry blood to the different organs of the body. The highest blood pressure values ​​are obtained when the heart contracts; the minimum when this organ relaxes.

On the other hand, it is important to know that there is also a type of high blood pressure, known as secondary arterial hypertension, which occurs as a consequence of other organic diseases, usually of renal or endocrine origin.

High blood pressure is one of the most prevalent diseases in developed countries. It is considered one of the main risk factors for the development of cardiovascular disease.

Among them, we can highlight:

• Cardiac insufficiency.
• Kidney and brain diseases.
• Eye problems.

What about heart failure?

This disease appears when there is an imbalance between the heart’s ability to pump blood and the body’s needs.

It can be triggered by different causes, such as:

• Cardiac diseases : ischemic or valvular heart disease.
• Heart failure due to increased demand : some pathologies, such as anemia, generalized infections in the body or diseases of the thyroid gland, can cause an increased demand for blood. This fact makes a healthy heart not able to supply these blood needs.

On the other hand, this disease may present symptoms, but it may also occur that they do not appear for a long time. The most common manifestations of symptoms are:

• Fatigue.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Sensation of swelling in the abdomen.
• Dizziness, confusion or a blank mind.
• Fluid retention.

How does candesartana exert its effect on the body?

This medicine blocks the AT1 receptors of angiotensin II. Angiotensin is a protein molecule that constitutes the main peptide of the renin-angiotensin system. This system is what mainly controls blood pressure, among other processes.

Through a series of biochemical reactions, angiotensin II raises blood pressure. Therefore, by antagonizing the receptors to which angiotensin binds to increase blood pressure, it is possible to regulate it in cases where it has values ​​above normal.

Conclusion

Candesartan is a medicine mainly indicated to fight high blood pressure. To achieve its goal, it antagonizes angiotensin II receptors, a protein molecule that raises blood pressure.

It is a prescription drug; therefore, it is important to avoid self-medication. Inform your doctor if you are taking other medications as they may interact. Above all, always follow the guidelines of the professional accompanying your case.