Cardiovascular Medications

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to cardiovascular medications and hypertension, crucial for understanding treatments and their mechanisms of action.

Hypertension (HTN)

A condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is persistently elevated.

Systolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the blood vessels when the heart beats.

Diastolic Blood Pressure

The pressure in the blood vessels when the heart is at rest between beats.

Silent Killer

A nickname for hypertension, as it often has no symptoms until damage occurs.

Angiotensin II

A hormone that causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure.

Vasodilation

The widening of blood vessels, which decreases blood pressure.

ACE Inhibitors

Medications that block the action of angiotensin-converting enzyme, lowering blood pressure.

Beta Blockers

Medications that reduce blood pressure by blocking the effects of adrenaline on beta receptors.

Diuretics

Medications that promote diuresis, the increased production of urine, which helps lower blood pressure.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Medications that prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, reducing blood pressure.

Thiazide Diuretics

A class of diuretics that work on the distal convoluted tubule, primarily used to treat hypertension.

Chronic Heart Failure (CHF)

A condition where the heart is unable to pump sufficiently to maintain blood flow to meet the body's needs.

Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)

A term for situations where the blood supplied to the heart muscle is suddenly blocked.

Ischemic Heart Disease

A condition in which the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is insufficient due to narrowed arteries.

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS)

A hormone system that regulates blood pressure and fluid balance.

Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis

Conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and hyperlipidemia that contribute to arterial plaque buildup.

Stable Angina

Chest pain or discomfort that occurs with exertion or emotional stress but is relieved by rest.

Unstable Angina

Chest pain that occurs at rest and is more intense and prolonged than stable angina.

Myocardial Infarction

Commonly known as a heart attack, it occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked.

Nitrates

Medications that dilate blood vessels, reducing angina and heart workload.

Heart Rate (HR)

The number of times the heart beats per minute.

Cardiac Output (CO)

The volume of blood the heart pumps per minute.

Total Peripheral Resistance (TPR)

The resistance to blood flow throughout the body.

Antiarrhythmics

Medications used to treat irregular heartbeats.