Cardiovascular Drugs Simplified

• Cardiovascular drugs can be simplified with easy words, fun memory tricks, and visuals.

Heart Helper Medicines

• Medicines can make the heart stronger (like lifting weights), slow the heart down (like pressing the brakes), and improves blood flow (like clearing a blocked river).

Digoxin (Heart Strengthener)

• Digoxin helps the heart beat stronger and slower.
• Used for heart failure and irregular heartbeats.
• Side effects include headaches, upset stomach, and seeing yellow-green lights.
• Too much digoxin is toxic however Digibind can be used like an undo button.
• Do not mix with diuretics (water pills) because they can cause low potassium.
• Do not mix with antacids, they make digoxin less powerful.
• Memory Trick: Digs (Digoxin) for a strong but slow heart!

Anti-Anginals (Stop Chest Pain)

• These medicines open up blood vessels.
• Which allows more oxygen to get to the heart.
• Side effects include headache, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
• Avoid Viagra with nitrates! It can drop blood pressure too much.
• Avoid grapefruit juice with calcium blockers!
• Memory Trick: "Nitro makes the heart go (fast relief), but don't mix it with other blood pressure meds!"

Blood Pressure Pills (Keep BP Happy)

• Types include:
  • ACE Inhibitors ("pril" meds) which stop BP from rising.
  • Beta Blockers ("olol" meds) which slow heart down.
  • Calcium Channel Blockers relax the heart.
• Side effects include:
  • Dry cough from ACE inhibitors.
  • Slow heart rate from Beta blockers.
  • Swollen ankles from Calcium blockers.
• Don't stop beta blockers suddenly because the heart will panic!
• Avoid salty food with BP meds!
• Memory Trick: “ACE, Beta, Calcium = A Big Chill for high blood pressure!"

Blood Thinners (Prevent Clots)

• Types include:
  • Heparin & Warfarin which stop clots from forming.
  • Aspirin & Plavix which keep blood from sticking together.
• Side effects include bleeding risk and tummy pain.
• Antidote for Warfarin is Vitamin K.
• Use an electric razor instead of sharp razors.
• Memory Trick: "Thin blood, thick safety rules!"

Diuretics (Water Pills)

• Helps the body get rid of extra water & salt.
• Lowers blood pressure and swelling.
• Side effects include:
  • peeing a lot.
  • losing too much potassium.
  • feeling weak.
• Take them in the morning! (so you don't pee all night)
• Eat bananas to keep potassium up!
• Memory Trick: "Diuretics = DIE-U-pee-a-lot!"

Quick Review

• Digoxin = Strong but slow heart.
• Nitro & Anginals = Open blood flow.
• BP meds (ABC) = Lower blood pressure (ACE, Beta, Calcium).
• Blood Thinners = Prevent clots.
• Diuretics = Lose extra water.