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SPSC 3275 > cardiac medications > Flashcards

cardiac medications Flashcards

1
Q

what is nitroglycerin?

A
  • vasodilator
  • used to treat angina symptoms
    • chest pain
    • pressure
  • improves blood flow to the heart by opening up the arteries in the heart = improved symptoms and reduced how hard the heart has to work
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2
Q

how does someone take quick-acting nitroglycerin?

A
  • includes tablets or oral sprays
  • tablets placed under the tongue or between the cheek and gum
  • spray is used on or under the tongue
  • used in moment of angina attack
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3
Q

what is the purpose of long-acting nitroglycerin?

A
  • used to prevent angina from happening
  • not used to stop sudden symptoms of angina
  • forms:
    • pills
    • tablets
    • skin ointment
    • skin patches
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4
Q

what do you do during an angina attack?

A
  • lie down (nitro can lower BP = fainting if stand up)
  • place tablet under tongue and let it dissolve OR
  • place the between cheek-and-gum tablet and leave until it dissolves OR
  • use the spray under or on top of the tongue once and close mouth right away
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5
Q

what are the side effects of nitro?

A
  • warm of flushed feeling
  • headache
  • dizziness
  • light-headedness
  • dropped BP
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6
Q

what should you not take in conjunction with nitro and why?

A
  • erection-enhancing medicine
  • some of those medications drop BP since both are vasodilators
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7
Q

what are anti-platelets and who is prescribed this?

A
  • stops platelets from being sticky or reducing viscosity
    • reduces blood clots and reduces it’s ability to stick to arteries = cardiac event
  • taken in combination w/nitro
  • commonly prescribed for patients who have experienced any kind of cardiac event and are often administered to those with angina
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8
Q

what is the most widely prescribed anti-platelet and how is it taken?

A
  • aspirin
  • should not be taken on an empty stomach since it can bother the stomach
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9
Q

what are the side effects of anti-platelets?

A
  • increase in bleeding
  • headaches
  • dizziness
  • nausea
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • indigestion
  • abdominal pain from taking medication on empty stomach
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10
Q

describe beta-blockers

A
  • work by reducing the load or the stress on the heart by reducing heart rate and blood pressure
    • lower work heart has to do
  • take medication at the same time each day since HR fluctuates throughout the day so it is good to track if medication is working
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11
Q

what are the side effects of beta-blockers?

A
  • lower HR
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • unusual swelling
  • trouble breathing
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12
Q

what is an important note when taking beta-blockers?

A
  • those with diabetes and taking beta-blockers should monitor their sugars closely since beta-blockers may dull the symptoms of low blood sugar
    • ex: trembling or fast HR
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13
Q

describe calcium channel blockers

A
  • vasodilators
  • generally taken with other cardiovascular disease medications
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14
Q

what are calcium channel blocker side effects?

A
  • fatigue
  • dizziness
  • heartburn
  • swelling in ankles and feet
  • avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice
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15
Q

why do we need to avoid grapefruit/grapefruit juice when on calcium channel blockers?

A
  • can interfere with the way certain drugs are metabolized
    • allows a higher/too little amount of drug into the bloodstream
  • as little as one glass of juice can cause an increased blood drug level and the effects can last for 3 days or more
  • results in an unpredictable increase in blood drug level = serious side effects
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16
Q

describe statins

A
  • type of medication commonly used in those with high cholesterol
  • prevents the build-up of plaque in the arteries and reduce plaque that is already there from getting worse and lowers the long-term risk of experiencing a heart attack
  • has a strong impact but their effects are slow
17
Q

what are the side effects of statins?

A
  • anti-plaque properties go away when statins are not taken regularly
  • upset stomach
  • constipation
  • gas
  • sore muscles/weakness
  • avoid grapefruit juice
18
Q

describe ACE inhibitors

A
  • vasodilators
  • taken life long in patients with coronary artery disease
  • similar to beta-blockers (patients are encouraged to keep a record of their HR and BP)
  • can increase the amount of potassium in the body
  • avoid salt substitutes or potassium supplements
19
Q

what are the side effects of ACE inhibitors?

A
  • dizziness/faint
  • dry couch/tickle in the throat
  • may develop swelling of the face, mouth, or throat
    • due to retaining a lot of fluid
  • peeing less than normal
20
Q

describe ARBs (Angiotensin II receptor blockers)

A
  • mainly used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure
  • better choice if a patient is experiencing side effects from ACE inhibitors
21
Q

what are the side effects of ARBs?

A
  • reducing the work of the heart
  • lowers HR and BP
  • increase potassium levels
  • dizziness due to lowering BP
22
Q

describe diuretics

A
  • often referred to as “water pills” and typically taken with other medications
  • used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure
  • helps kidneys produce more urine
  • increase urine output = excess salt/water also excreted = reduced workload of the heart
23
Q

what are the benefits of diuretics?

A
  • lowering bp
  • relieve SOB
  • reduce swelling and bloating
  • increase urine output
  • reduce time spent in hospital
  • increase quantity of life in those with heart failure
24
Q

what are the side effects of diuretics?

A
  • dehydration
    • not enough pee
    • dry mouth
    • decreased skin “springiness”
    • muscle cramps
    • weakness
    • fever, sore throat, or skin rash
  • dizziness
25
Q

what are 3 approaches to treating AFib?

A
  1. rate control
  2. rhythm control
  3. risk reduction
26
Q

what is cardioversion?

A

small electrical shock to give patients with AFib a regular heartbeat

27
Q

what is radio frequency ablation?

A

putting tubes down towards the heart and zap all the short circuits causing AFib

28
Q

describe anti-coagulants and name a common brand

A
  • slows down clotting formation
  • blood thinners
  • common brand = warfarin
29
Q

who uses anti-coagulants (blood thinners)?

A
  • with artificial heart valves
  • with AFib
  • who have had a heart attack
  • who have heart diseases, such as cardiomyopathy
  • who are at risk of developing blood clots
30
Q

what is the use of international normalized ratio (INR) testing?

A
  • measures the time it takes for blood to clot
  • especially important for patients on Warfarin or other anti-coagulants
    • determines dose for patient
    • timing of when to take it
    • need extra blood to go if in surgery
31
Q

what are side effects of anti-coagulants?

A
  • unwanted bleeding
  • monitor for:
    • pink in the sink when brushing their teeth or shaving
    • vomit that looks bloody or like coffee grounds
    • pink or brown urine
    • stool that is red or black
    • nosebleeds
32
Q

how do you avoid side effects of aunti-coagulants?

A
  • avoid smoking and limit alcohol
  • tell the dentist about the drug before a dental cleaning or other work
  • if surgery is needed, tell the surgeon about the medication
  • consider delaying non-essential dental or medical procedures
33
Q

what is the purpose of antiarrhythmics?

A

prevent and treat abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias)

34
Q

what may be prescribed if the heart beats too slowly?

A

atropine

35
Q

what are also anti-arrhythmics drugs and what are their purpose?

A
  • potassium channel blockers
  • slow down electrical impulse conduction in all heart cells
36
Q

what drugs are included in potassium channel blockers?

A
  • amiodarone - most common
  • dronedarone
  • sotalol
37
Q

what are some side effects of antiarrhythmics?

A
  • sun sensitivity
  • dizziness
  • urine retention
  • blurry vision
38
Q

describe digoxin

A
  • used to control abnormal heart rhythms
  • can also help to manage the symptoms of heart failure, usually with other medicines
  • do NOT give if bpm < 60
39
Q

what are side effects of digoxin?

A
  • upset stomach
  • diarrhea
  • loss of appetite
  • blurred vision
    • patients might see yellow around objects

SPSC 3275 (6 decks)

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