Antihypertensive and CHF Review Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering essential antihypertensive and heart-failure pharmacology terms from the lecture notes.

Blood Pressure (BP)

The product of Cardiac Output (CO) and Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR).

Cardiac Output (CO)

The amount of blood the heart pumps per minute.

Systemic Vascular Resistance (SVR)

The resistance blood faces while flowing through vessels; determines how tight the vessels are.

JNC-8 Treatment Threshold (≥60 yrs)

Begin therapy when BP is ≥150/90 mmHg.

JNC-8 Treatment Threshold (<60 yrs or CKD/DM)

Begin therapy when BP is ≥140/90 mmHg.

Diuretics

Drugs that lower blood volume by promoting salt and water excretion.

Thiazide Diuretic

Potassium-wasting diuretic class; example: Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ).

Loop Diuretic

Powerful potassium-wasting diuretic; example: Furosemide.

Potassium-Sparing Diuretic

Diuretic that conserves K⁺; example: Spironolactone; risk of hyperkalemia.

Beta Blockers

Agents that decrease heart rate, contractility, and renin release; example: Metoprolol.

ACE Inhibitors

Block conversion of Angiotensin I to II, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone; example: Lisinopril.

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)

Prevent Angiotensin II from binding its receptor; example: Losartan; no cough side effect.

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs)

Relax vascular smooth muscle by blocking calcium entry; example: Amlodipine.

Alpha-1 Blockers

Cause peripheral vasodilation by blocking α₁ receptors; example: Doxazosin.

Alpha-2 Agonists

Lower CNS sympathetic outflow; example: Clonidine.

Vasodilators

Drugs that directly relax vascular smooth muscle; example: Hydralazine.

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)

Thiazide diuretic commonly used for hypertension; K-wasting.

Furosemide

Loop diuretic used for strong diuresis in HTN and CHF.

Spironolactone

Aldosterone antagonist; potassium-sparing; used in HTN & HF.

Metoprolol

Selective β₁ blocker that lowers HR and BP; used in HTN & HF.

Lisinopril

ACE inhibitor that lowers BP and protects kidneys in diabetics.

Losartan

Prototype ARB; lowers BP without causing cough.

Amlodipine

Dihydropyridine CCB; potent arterial vasodilator.

Doxazosin

Alpha-1 blocker useful in HTN and BPH.

Clonidine

Central α₂ agonist; rapid BP lowering but risk of rebound HTN if stopped abruptly.

Hydralazine

Arterial vasodilator; used for hypertensive crises and in BiDil.

Nitroprusside

IV vasodilator for hypertensive emergencies; risk of cyanide toxicity.

Reflex Tachycardia

Compensatory heart-rate increase after vasodilation.

Orthostatic Hypotension

Drop in BP upon standing; common with α₁ blockers.

Dry Cough (ACE I Side Effect)

Bradykinin accumulation causes persistent cough in ACE inhibitor users.

Angioedema

Rapid swelling of tissues; rare but serious ACE inhibitor reaction.

Hyperkalemia

Elevated serum potassium; risk with ACE I, ARBs, and K-sparing diuretics.

Calcium Channel Blocker Side Effects

Pedal edema, constipation, bradycardia, grapefruit interaction.

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Condition where the heart cannot pump adequately, causing fluid buildup.

Preload

Volume of blood returning to the heart; diuretics and ACE/ARBs reduce it.

Afterload

Resistance the heart pumps against; lowered by vasodilators, ACE/ARBs, CCBs.

Digoxin

Cardiac glycoside that increases contractility and slows HR; narrow therapeutic window.

Entresto (Sacubitril/Valsartan)

ARNI combining neprilysin inhibition with ARB for systolic HF.

BiDil

Hydralazine + Isosorbide dinitrate combo approved specifically for Black patients with HF.

Milrinone

IV phosphodiesterase-3 inhibitor; inodilator for acute decompensated HF.