Heart disease management techniques Flashcards
What are ACE inhibitors?
A drug that inhibits the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)- an enzyme that narrows blood vessels and so increases blood pressure.
The reduction in activity of ACE means that blood vessels are free to relax & widen, thus decreasing blood pressure.
What are statins?
Drugs that reduce the amount of non- HDL (bad) cholesterol in the body to prevent build up in blood vessels.
What are Beta Blockers?
Drugs that block the release of sympathetic hormones (adrenaline and noradrenaline), which reduces heart rate and blood pressure.
What are antiplatelet drugs? e.g. Aspirin
Drugs that reduce the number of platelets (cells responsible for blood clotting) that circulate in the bloodstream to prevent blood clots in arteries leading to the heart or brain.
What is Coronary Angioplasty (stent incision)?
when a small metal mesh tube (stent) is surgically placed into a coronary artery.
Via a catheter (flexible narrow tube) that is inserted through the groin or arm and pushed up to the coronary artery with an inflatable balloon at its end that is blown up to initially widen the artery.
