Which treatment could potentially lead to adverse effects such as hypotension in heart failure patients?

Study for the Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist Exam. Utilize flashcards and answer multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Prepare efficiently for your certification!

High-dose ACE inhibitors are known to potentially lead to adverse effects such as hypotension, particularly in heart failure patients. ACE inhibitors work by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which decreases the production of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. When used at high doses, they can significantly lower systemic vascular resistance, which may sometimes result in hypotension, especially if the patient is on other antihypertensive medications or is volume-depleted.

In individuals with heart failure, it is essential to titrate the dosage of ACE inhibitors carefully to avoid rapid blood pressure drops that could lead to symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, or worsening renal function. Monitoring is critical, as the risk of hypotension increases with higher doses, particularly after initial therapy onset or when doses are escalated.

While intravenous iron, increased β-blocker dosage, and hydroxychloroquine are important medications in specific scenarios associated with heart failure or related conditions, they do not generally carry the same risk of causing hypotension directly as high-dose ACE inhibitors do. For instance, intravenous iron is often used to treat anemia in heart failure without significant direct effects on blood pressure, increased β-blocker dosage may have a stabilizing effect on heart rate and

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