Cardiovascular Medications and Treatment Overview

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to cardiovascular medications, their mechanisms, indications, contraindications, and adverse effects.

ACE Inhibitors

Medications that inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme, decreasing the production of angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and reduced blood pressure.

Angiotensin II

A potent vasoconstrictor that increases blood pressure and stimulates aldosterone secretion.

Beta Blockers

Medications that block the sympathetic nervous system stimulation by competing with epinephrine and norepinephrine, used primarily for hypertension and heart conditions.

ARBs (Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers)

Drugs that block the binding of angiotensin II to its receptors, preventing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Medications that prevent calcium from entering cells of the heart and blood vessel walls, leading to a decrease in heart contractility and dilation of the arteries.

Vasodilators

Drugs that directly relax blood vessel walls, leading to a decrease in blood pressure.

Loop Diuretics

Diuretics that work in the loop of Henle to prevent the reabsorption of sodium and chloride, leading to increased urine production.

Potassium-sparing Diuretics

Diuretics that conserve potassium in the body while causing an increase in sodium and water excretion.

Thiazide Diuretics

Medications that inhibit sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule, leading to osmotic diuresis and increased blood flow.

Cardiac Glycosides

Drugs that inhibit the sodium-potassium ATPase pump, leading to increased intracellular calcium and strengthened cardiac contractions.

Bradycardia

Abnormally slow heart rate, often a side effect of several antihypertensive medications.

Hypokalemia

A condition characterized by low potassium levels in the blood, can occur as a side effect of diuretics.

Angioedema

A potentially serious side effect associated with ACE inhibitors characterized by swelling of deeper layers of the skin.

Fetal toxicity

A warning indicating that a medication may harmful to a developing fetus, especially during pregnancy.

Rebound hypertension

A sudden increase in blood pressure that occurs after the abrupt discontinuation of certain antihypertensive medications.

Black Box Warning

A strict warning placed on a prescription drug by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding adverse effects.

SLE (Systemic Lupus Erythematosus)

An autoimmune disease that may be exacerbated by certain medications, including hydralazine.

Cyanide toxicity

A potentially fatal condition associated with excessive doses of nitroprusside, causing serious side effects like metabolic acidosis.