Treatments of CVD Flashcards
(17 cards)
How do antihypertensives work to treat CVD?
Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of arterial endothelial damage and therefore reduces the risk of atheromas and thrombosis
Benefits of antihypertensives?
Reduces BP
BP can be monitored at home to check that drugs are working
Drugs work in different ways so they can be combined to maximise effectiveness
Risks of antihypertensives
Side effects: headaches, drowsiness, heart palpitations, swelling of feet and ankles, persistent cough
Patients may stop taking medication due to side effects
What are the 3 types of antihypertensives?
Beta blockers, vasodilators and diuretics
How do Beta blockers work?
Beta blockers prevent increase in heart rate
how do vasodilators work?
Vasodilators increase the diameter of the blood vessels
How do diuretics work?
Diuretics reduce blood volume by decreasing the amount of sodium reabsorbed into the blood by the kidneys, therefore decreasing the volume of water reabsorbed into the blood
How do statins work?
Lowers blood cholesterol by blocking an enzyme in the liver which is needed to make cholesterol. This lowers LDL conc in the blood, reducing the risk of atheroma formation
Benefits of statins?
Reduce the levels of bad LDL cholesterol in the blood, which reduces the risk of atheroma development.
Increase the levels of good HDL cholesterol in the blood, which aids in further removal of LDL cholesterol
Risks of statins?
Can take a while to become effective
Needs to be taken long-term to remain effective
Side effects: muscle/joint pain, liver damage, neurological issues
Taking statins may give patients a false sense of security, leading to a return to an unhealthy lifestyle
how do anticoagulants work?
These drugs reduce blood clotting. Reduced formation of blood clots decreases the likelihood of thrombosis and therefore reduces the risk of blood vessels being blocked by blood clots
benefits of anticoagulants?
Reduce formation of new blood clots.
Can reduce the size and growth of existing blood clots.
risks of anticoagulants?
Can cause excessive bleeding if injury occurs, including internal injury.
Side effects: fainting, osteoporosis, swelling of tissues
Can damage the foetus if taken
How do platelet inhibitors ( a type of anticoagulant) work?
They prevent the clumping together of platelets, so preventing the formation of blood clots
example of a platelet inhibitor
aspirin
benefits of platelet inhibitors
reduce the formation of new blood clots and so the risk of blood vessel blockage
risks of platelet inhibitors
Can cause excessive bleeding if injury occurs.
Side effects: rashes, liver dysfunction, stomach lining damage.
Combining more than one type of platelet inhibitor can increase the risk of harmful side effects
