Role of RAAS in Cardiovascular System | Essay

Running head: ROLE OF RAAS IN CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
ROLE OF RAAS IN CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
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ROLE OF RAAS IN CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
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Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) unique hormonal system having an
impact over adrenal glands, cardiovascular system and renal system by controlling the fluid
volume, potassium and sodium balance and monitoring blood pressure (Dose 2015). The main
aim of the essay is to discuss the effect of RAAS over the cardiovascular system in the human
body. It is structured to talk about the drugs that can be used to inhibit the role of RAAS in
treating the cardiovascular system and to explain the ways a drug is used for treating RAAS.
The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) has an important role in the regulation
of systemic vascular resistance and maintain a proper blood volume. They together influence the
arterial pressure and cardiac output (Favre, Esnault and Van Obberghen 2015). RAAS is a
powerful and potent mediator in the renal system and cardiovascular homeostasis. RAAS
prevents the functioning of the angiotensin receptor blocker (ARBs) and angiotensin-converting
enzyme (ACE). ARB has an important role in preventing cardiovascular diseases. RAAS can
perform the blockage due to peripheral and central effects of blood pressure, hence contributing
to additional protection. A drug such as the system gets activated with the drop of blood pressure
or by the loss of blood volume (Lumbers and Pringle 2014).
The loss of pressure can be deduced in carotid sinus by baroreceptor. It also gets
activated by the decrease in the filtration rate of sodium chloride concentration and by decreasing
the flow rate of the filtrate stimulating the macula densa towards the signaling of the
juxtaglomerular cells for releasing renin. Angiotensin is the peptide hormone controlling
vasoconstriction. Angiotensin II has a major bioactive impact on the human body. Angiotensin II
is a powerful vasoconstrictor for arteriole. It tightens the glomerular arteriole hence putting a
stronger impact on the efferent arteriole than afferent. All the capillaries lay in the body; the
afferent arteriole contraction increases the resistivity for the arteriolar constriction. Hence, the