Cardiovascular System Drugs

Flashcards covering antianginal drugs, heart failure drugs, and anticoagulants.

Anti-anginal Drugs

Alleviate chest pain by improving blood flow to the heart muscle.

Nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin)

Relax blood vessels and improve blood flow to the heart.

Beta-blockers (lol)

Lower heart rate and reduce the heart’s demand for oxygen.

Calcium channel blockers (pine)

Relax blood vessels and decrease the heart's workload.

Antiplatelets

Prevent the formation of blood clots that could lead to heart attacks and strokes.

Heart Failure Drugs

Improve the heart’s ability to pump blood.

ACE inhibitors (pril)

Relax blood vessels, lower blood pressure, reduce cardiac workload.

ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers) (tan)

Bind to and block AT receptors.

Diuretics

Remove excess salt and water from the body.

Anticoagulant Drugs

Blood thinners used to prevent blood clots from forming or getting larger.

Vitamin K antagonist

Inhibits vitamin K enzyme that produces clotting factors in the liver.

Xa inhibitor

Inhibits factor Xa, an enzyme for converting prothrombin to thrombin in the clotting cascade; inhibits clot formation.

Unfractioned Heparin

Activates antithrombin III, inactivates factor Xa, leading to inhibition of clot formation.

Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)

Selectively inhibits Xa.