CVD medicine Flashcards
antihypertensives
drugs that reduce high blood pressure
diuretics
type of antihypertensive, increases the volume of urine produced
- so blood volume decreases
- less blood is pumped from the heart
- lower blood pressure
beta blockers
type of antihypertensive, works by blocking the response of the heart to hormones
- blocks the response of the heart to hormones that speed up the heart and increase blood pressure
- heart rate becomes slower and contractions are weaker
- blood pressure is lower
sympathetic nerve inhibitors
type of antihypertensive, works by inhibiting sympathetic nerves and keeping the arteries dilated
- prevents the sympathetic nerves from signalling the arteries
- the arteries remain dilated
- blood pressure is kept low
ACE inhibitors
type of antihypertensive, works by blocking the production of angiotensin (stimulates constriction)
- blocks the production of angiotensin
- reduces the constriction of blood vessels
- keeps the blood pressure low
risk of. antihypertensives
coughing
constipation
tiredness and fatigue
may fall easily because blood pressure is too low
statins
a drug that lowers the level of cholesterol in the blood
- blocks the production of LDL cholesterol
- improves the balance of LDL:HDL in the blood
- reduces inflammation in the smooth endothelial lining of arteries ad risk of atherosclerosis
side effects of statins
nausea
constipation
liver failure
diarrhoea
plant stantols and sterols
reduces blood cholesterol by reducing the amount of cholesterol absorbed from the gut into the blood
- makes it easier for the body to metabolise cholesterol
- reduces the level of LDLs in the body
placebo
an inactive substance that looks like a drug being trialled which is use as an experimental control
anticoagulants
a substance that interferes with the anura tree of prothrombin in the body
- eg warfarin
warfarin
a type of anticoagulant,
- interferes with the manufacture of prothrombin in the body
- blood clots less easily
- decreases the likelihood of thrombosis
- reduces the risk of blood vessels being blocked by blood clots
risks of warfarin
patients could blood internally
- needs close monitoring to make sure that blood clotting is reduced not prevented completely
platelet inhibitory drugs
drugs that are used to prevent blood clots forming by preventing platelets clumping together
- aspirin
- clopidogrel
aspirin & clopidogrel
- makes the platelets less sticky
- clotting ability of blood is reduced
