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Questions and Answers
A patient with hypertension and angina is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which mechanism of action directly contributes to the relief of both conditions?
A patient with hypertension and angina is prescribed a calcium channel blocker. Which mechanism of action directly contributes to the relief of both conditions?
- Enhancing calcium influx into cells, promoting stronger contractions.
- Blocking sodium channels in the heart to stabilize arrhythmias.
- Increasing the heart's pumping strength to improve blood flow.
- Dilating blood vessels to reduce blood pressure and increase blood supply to the heart. (correct)
A patient is prescribed Nifedipine (Adalat). What specific physiological effect of this medication leads to a reduction in blood pressure?
A patient is prescribed Nifedipine (Adalat). What specific physiological effect of this medication leads to a reduction in blood pressure?
- Increased sodium and water retention.
- Stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.
- Increased renin secretion by the kidneys.
- Relaxation of arterial smooth muscle. (correct)
A patient taking Diltiazem (Cardizem) for hypertension reports feeling dizzy upon standing. What is the most likely reason for this side effect?
A patient taking Diltiazem (Cardizem) for hypertension reports feeling dizzy upon standing. What is the most likely reason for this side effect?
- Fluid retention caused by impaired kidney function.
- Orthostatic hypotension due to vasodilation. (correct)
- Increased sympathetic nervous system activity due to calcium overload.
- Increased heart rate due to reflex tachycardia.
A cardiologist is considering prescribing a calcium channel blocker for a patient with both hypertension and a specific type of arrhythmia. Which drug would be most suitable in this case?
A cardiologist is considering prescribing a calcium channel blocker for a patient with both hypertension and a specific type of arrhythmia. Which drug would be most suitable in this case?
A patient is prescribed Nimodipine (Nimotop) following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. What is the primary reason for using this specific calcium channel blocker in this situation?
A patient is prescribed Nimodipine (Nimotop) following a subarachnoid hemorrhage. What is the primary reason for using this specific calcium channel blocker in this situation?
Which mechanism of action is primarily responsible for the therapeutic effect of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)?
Which mechanism of action is primarily responsible for the therapeutic effect of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)?
A patient is prescribed valsartan (Diovan). What cardiovascular condition is this medication primarily intended to treat?
A patient is prescribed valsartan (Diovan). What cardiovascular condition is this medication primarily intended to treat?
How does the mechanism of action of ARBs differ from that of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs) such as sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)?
How does the mechanism of action of ARBs differ from that of Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs) such as sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)?
Which of the following is NOT a common effect of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)?
Which of the following is NOT a common effect of Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)?
A patient who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors due to a persistent cough is prescribed an ARB. What aspect of ARBs makes them a suitable alternative in this scenario?
A patient who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors due to a persistent cough is prescribed an ARB. What aspect of ARBs makes them a suitable alternative in this scenario?
A patient is prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication but experiences persistent muscle pain, a known side effect of statins. Which course of action is MOST appropriate given the information?
A patient is prescribed a cholesterol-lowering medication but experiences persistent muscle pain, a known side effect of statins. Which course of action is MOST appropriate given the information?
A doctor is deciding between prescribing a statin or a non-statin medication for a patient with high cholesterol. Under what circumstance might the doctor choose a non-statin medication?
A doctor is deciding between prescribing a statin or a non-statin medication for a patient with high cholesterol. Under what circumstance might the doctor choose a non-statin medication?
Which statement accurately describes the role of statins in treating high cholesterol?
Which statement accurately describes the role of statins in treating high cholesterol?
A patient is taking Atorvastatin (Lipitor) to manage high cholesterol. What should the patient understand about this medication?
A patient is taking Atorvastatin (Lipitor) to manage high cholesterol. What should the patient understand about this medication?
Why might a physician choose to prescribe Pravastatin (Pravachol) over other statins for a patient with high cholesterol?
Why might a physician choose to prescribe Pravastatin (Pravachol) over other statins for a patient with high cholesterol?
Flashcards
ARBs Mechanism
ARBs Mechanism
ARBs block Angiotensin II effects, preventing blood pressure increase.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
Medications that prevent Angiotensin II from affecting the heart and blood vessels.
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)
Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)
Sacubitril/valsartan improves blood flow, reduces sodium retention, and decreases strain on the heart.
ARBs Use
ARBs Use
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Common ARBs
Common ARBs
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Cholesterol-lowering medications
Cholesterol-lowering medications
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Statins
Statins
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Common Statins
Common Statins
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Non-statin cholesterol drugs
Non-statin cholesterol drugs
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Purpose of cholesterol-lowering meds
Purpose of cholesterol-lowering meds
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Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium Channel Blockers
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Calcium Blockers Treat...
Calcium Blockers Treat...
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Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
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How do calcium blockers work?
How do calcium blockers work?
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Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
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Study Notes
- Cardiac medications are used to treat a variety of heart conditions
- Each medication type has a different mechanism of action and set of indications
Anticoagulants (Blood Thinners)
- Common medications: Apixaban (Eliquis), Dabigatran (Pradaxa), Edoxaban (Savaysa), Heparin (various), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), Warfarin (Coumadin)
- Decrease the blood's clotting ability; do not dissolve existing clots
- Help prevent new clots from forming in blood vessels
- Prevent existing clots from worsening
- Prescribed to prevent initial or recurrent stroke or heart attack
Antiplatelet Agents
- Common medications: Aspirin, Clopidogrel (Plavix), Dipyridamole (Persantine), Prasugrel (Effient), Ticagrelor (Brilinta)
- Prevent blood clots by stopping blood platelets from sticking together
- Prevent clotting in individuals who have had a heart attack, unstable angina, ischemic strokes, TIA, or other cardiovascular diseases
- Used preventively when plaque buildup is present without major artery blockage
- Some people may require dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT)
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Common medications: Benazepril (Lotensin), Captopril (Capoten), Enalapril (Vasotec), Fosinopril (Monopril), Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), Moexipril (Univasc), Perindopril (Aceon), Quinapril (Accupril), Ramipril (Altace), Trandolapril (Mavik)
- Lower blood pressure by widening blood vessels, reducing heart workload
- Treat cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure and heart failure
- Provide benefits to those who have had a heart attack
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Common medications: Azilsartan (Edarbi), Candesartan (Atacand), Eprosartan (Teveten), Irbesartan (Avapro), Losartan (Cozaar), Olmesartan (Benicar), Telmisartan (Micardis), Valsartan (Diovan)
- Block angiotensin II's effects, preventing it from affecting the heart and blood vessels
- Keeps blood pressure from rising
- Treat cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure and heart failure
Angiotensin Receptor-Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs)
- Common medications: Sacubitril/valsartan (Entresto)
- Improve artery opening and blood flow
- Reduce sodium retention and decrease strain on the heart.
- Used for the treatment of heart failure
Beta Blockers
- Common medications: Acebutolol (Sectral), Atenolol (Tenormin), Betaxolol (Kerlone), Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac), Bisoprolol (Zebeta), Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL), Nadolol (Corgard), Propranolol (Inderal), Sotalol (Betapace)
- Slow heart rate and contraction force, which lowers blood pressure
- Makes the heart beat more slowly and with less force
- Treat certain heart attacks, high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmias
- Help prevent future heart attacks
Combined Alpha and Beta-Blockers
- Common medications: Carvedilol (Coreg, Coreg CR), Labetalol hydrochloride (Normodyne, Trandate)
- Block both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors
- Lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels and decreasing heart rate
- Treat high blood pressure and heart failure
Calcium Channel Blockers
- Common medications: Amlodipine (Norvasc), Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac), Felodipine (Plendil), Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia), Nimodipine (Nimotop), Nisoldipine (Sular), Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
- Interrupt calcium movement into heart and blood vessel cells
- May decrease heart's pumping strength and relax blood vessels
- Treat high blood pressure, angina, and arrhythmias
Cholesterol-Lowering Medications
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Common medications (Statins): Atorvastatin (Lipitor), Fluvastatin (Lescol), Lovastatin (Mevacor), Pitavastatin (Livalo), Pravastatin (Pravachol), Rosuvastatin (Crestor), Simvastatin (Zocor)
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Nicotinic acids: Niacin
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Cholesterol absorption inhibitor: Ezetimibe (Zetia)
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Combination: Ezetimibe/Simvastatin (Vytorin)
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Lower blood cholesterol levels in various ways
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Statines work in the liver, some work in the intestines and some interrupt the formation of cholesterol from circulating in the blood
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Lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol
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Important note: Some may interact with grapefruit/juice and pomegranate/juice.
Digitalis Preparations
- Common medications: Digoxin (Lanoxin)
- Increase the force of the heart's beat and slows a fast heart rate
- The medication can treat heart failure and irregular heartbeats
- Relieve heart failure symptoms, especially when the patient isn't responding to other standard treatments including ACE inhibitors, ARBs and diuretics
- Slow certain types of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias), particularly atrial fibrillation
Diuretics (Water Pills)
- Common medications: Acetazolamide (Diamox), Amiloride (Midamor), Bumetanide (Bumex), Chlorothiazide (Diuril), Chlorthalidone (Hygroton), Furosemide (Lasix), Hydro-chlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril), Indapamide (Lozol), Metalozone (Zaroxolyn), Spironolactone (Aldactone), Torsemide (Demadex)
- Helps to rid the body of excess fluids and sodium through urination
- Reduces the heart's workload
- Decreases fluid buildup in the lungs, ankles, and legs
Vasodilators
- Common medications: Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), Isosorbide mononitrate (Imdur), Hydralazine (Apresoline), Nitroglycerin (Nitro Bid, Nitro Stat), Minoxidil
- Widen blood vessels to ease blood flow, decreasing heart workload and blood pressure
- Nitrates increase blood and oxygen supply to the heart, easing chest pain (angina)
- Nitroglycerin is available as a pill (swallowed or sublingual), a spray, and a cream
- Used to treat essential high blood pressure
- Treats high blood pressure caused by pregnancy
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Description
Cardiac medications, including anticoagulants and antiplatelets, are used to treat various heart conditions. Anticoagulants decrease blood's clotting ability, preventing new clots. Antiplatelet agents prevent blood clots by stopping blood platelets from sticking together.
