A 57-year-old man with long-standing diabetes mellitus and newly diagnosed hypertension presents to his primary care physician for follow-up. The patient has been trying to alter his dietary habits and now exercise more frequently, but the hypertension has persisted. The patient is started on an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE inhibitor) with good results. He is instructed to continue this medication and follow up in several months.
Question
• What neural and humoral pathways regulate arterial pressure?
• What are two effects of angiotensin II?
• How would inhibition of ACE decrease blood pressure?