Jones County Junior College Pharmacy Technology and LPN students got to the ‘heart’ of medicines that treat high blood pressure recently in a combined class lecture.

Guest speaker Ray Young is in his sixth year at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Mississippi.

He recently discussed with the future health care workers from Jones, the medications used to treat high blood pressure or hypertension which is a disease that affects a large percentage of Americans.

Young, who will earn his Doctorate of Pharmacy in May focused on those medicines that work within the Renin-Angiotensin I – Aldosterone II System (RAAS).

This includes medications that are classified as ACE inhibitors (angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors), Aldosterone receptor blockers (ARBS), and Renin blockers.

He also discussed specifics within each category such as side effects and information for the patients.

The information that he shared reinforced to the students their need for a comprehensive understanding of the various medications that are utilized for the treatment of hypertension.

Story edited by Teresa Martin, JCJC Public Relations.