[Pharmacological correction of hyperactivity of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system]

Reference data on the function of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) and pharmacological correction of its hyperactivity are summarized and analyzed in the paper. RAAS plays important role in the development and worsening of hypertension, facilitates proliferation of smooth muscle and heart cells. The hyperactivity of RAAS promotes the development of cardiovascular complications, such as myocardial infarction, stroke, increases cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Pharmacological correction of RAAS hyperactivity decreases hypertension, prevents occlusion of heart and blood vessels, provides anti-ischemic action, vascular and cardiac protection, improves life style, prevents cardiovascular mortality, such as fatal stroke, myocardial infarction and sudden death. b-blocker inhibitors, angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, angiotensin AT1-receptors blockers are reviewed as first line therapy of essential hypertension and congestive heart failure. ACT inhibitors, AT1- receptor blockers decrease total cholesterol, LDL, but increase HDL, beta-blockers decrease HDL. AT1-blockers are alternative drugs for treatment of cardiovascular diseases in those cases where ACE inhibitors are contraindicated or intolerance exists.