Cardiovascular System Drugs Pharmacology

Antihypertensives work by:

• relaxing blood vessels

• lowering workload on heart

Exception:

• Diuretics remove fluid!

ACE Inhibitors are

Antihypertensives

ACE Inhibitors Mechanism

ACE prevents angiotensin ll effects causing vasodilation

ACE Inhibitor Effects

• decrease blood pressure

• decrease cardiac workload

Ace Inhibitors are used for

• Heart failure

• Hypertension

ACE Inhibitor Side Effects

• DRY COUGH

• Hypotension

• Dizziness

• Fatigue

• Taste changes

• Potentially angioedema

ACE Inhibitors are Contraindicated in:

• pregnancy

• hyponatremia

*Get BP before giving medication

ARBs are

Antihypertensive

ARBs do what?

Block angiotensin ll from working

ARBs are used for

• HTN

• CHF

ARBs Side Effects

• hypotension

• dizziness

• fatigue

• GI upset

• angioedema

ARBs are contraindicated in

pregnancy

Beta Blockers are

Antihypertensive

Beta Blockers Mechanism

Blocks Beta 1 receptors

What do Beta Blockers effect?

• decreases HR

• decreases contractility

• decreases BP

Beta Blocker Uses

• HTN

• angina (chest pain)

• MI

Beta Blockers Side Effects

• bradycardia

• hypotension

• fatigue

• dizziness

Beta Blockers special Info

• Check apical pulse for 1 min

• don’t suddenly stop

• hold if HR is too low

Calcium Channel Blockers are

Antihypertensive

CCB Mechanism:

Blocks Ca++ entry which causes the smooth muscles to relax

CCB is used for

• HTN

• angina

CCB Side Effects

• hypotension

• altered HR

• constipation

• nausea

• peripheral edema

Avoid CCB for

• hypotension

• acute MI

Diuretics are

Antihypertensives

Diuretic Mechanism

Removes fluid that results in decreased workload for heart

Diuretics Side Effects

• hypokalemia

• dehydration

• dizziness

• N/V

Check Before giving Diuretics

• BP

• Electrolytes (K+)