CHD drugs Flashcards
what causes cardiovascular disease?
narrowing of the arteries that supply the heart, due to a gradual build up of fatty material called atheroma
what is angina pectoris?
a crushing pain in the chest, that may radiate to the arm, neck or jaw. the pain results from cardiac ischaemia, it is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart
what determines the demand of O2 for the heart?
how hard the heart is working, how much blood is pumped per minute, and how much resistance to flow
drugs that reduce demand?
beta blockers, nitro-vasodilators, blood pressure lowering drugs
drugs that improve supply to the heart?
cholesterol lowering drugs, anti-platelet drugs, drugs that open up the arteries
function of beta blockers?
reduces heart rate and contraction strength of the heart
mechanism of action of nitro-vasodilators?
work by producing nitric oxide which increases the CGMP in muscle cells, causing muscle to relax and vessels dilate.
main nitro-vasodilator?
glyceryl trinitrate (GTN)
side effects of nitro-vasodilators?
throbbing headache due to cerebral vasodilation, dizziness due to low BP, feeling faint
what is myocardial infarction?
coronary artery completely blocked, by blood clot on ruptured plaque causing heart attack
painkillers used for CHD?
morphine and diamorphine
where is GTN metabolised
in the liver
what do nitro-vasodilators dilate?
arteries and veins!
what happens when systemic arteries are dilated?
less resistance- reduced BP, less work for the heart, less oxygen demand
what happens when large veins are dilated?
more blood in the venous system - less back to the heart so heart fills less which means less oxygen demand
