Drugs used in the treatment of the cardiovascular system

Question 1

What are the main drug classes used to treat cardiovascular disease?

Answer 1

Antihypertensives (reduce blood pressure)

Anti-anginals (relieve chest pain)
Anticoagulants & antiplatelets (prevent blood clots)

Lipid-lowering drugs (reduce cholesterol)

Heart failure medications (improve cardiac function)

Question 2

What are the main classes of antihypertensive drugs?

Answer 2

ACE inhibitors (e.g., ramipril) → Block angiotensin II production, lowering BP.

Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs, e.g., losartan) → Prevent angiotensin II effects.

Calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, verapamil) → Relax blood vessels.

Diuretics (e.g., furosemide, bendroflumethiazide) → Increase urine output to reduce BP.

Beta-blockers (e.g., bisoprolol, atenolol) → Slow heart rate and reduce BP.

Question 3

What drugs are used to treat angina?

Answer 3

Nitrates (e.g., glyceryl trinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate) → Dilate coronary arteries.

Beta-blockers (e.g., metoprolol) → Reduce heart workload.

Calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem) → Improve blood flow.

Question 4

What is the difference between anticoagulants and antiplatelets?

Answer 4

Anticoagulants prevent clot formation (e.g., warfarin, heparin, DOACs like apixaban).

Antiplatelets prevent platelets from sticking together (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel).

Question 5

What drugs are used to lower cholesterol?

Answer 5

Statins (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin) → Lower LDL cholesterol.

Ezetimibe → Reduces cholesterol absorption.

PCSK9 inhibitors (e.g., alirocumab) → Increase LDL clearance.

Question 6

What are the key drugs used to treat heart failure?

Answer 6

ACE inhibitors / ARBs → Reduce strain on the heart.

Beta-blockers (e.g., bisoprolol, carvedilol) → Improve heart function.

Diuretics (e.g., furosemide) → Reduce fluid overload.

Aldosterone antagonists (e.g., spironolactone) → Reduce fluid retention.