Major Categories of Cardiovascular Drugs and Their Indications

Question 1

What are the 11 major cardiovascular drug categories?

Answer 1

● Cardiac Glycosides
● Thiazide Diuretics
● Loop Diuretics
● Sodium Channel Blockers
● Aldosterone Antagonists
● Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
● Beta-Blockers
● ACE Inhibitors
● Potassium Channel Blockers
● Nitrates
● Anti-platelet Drugs

Question 2

Cardiac Glycosides example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 2

Digoxin
Heart failure (HFrEF), atrial fibrillation
Increases myocardial contractility and slows AV node conduction

Question 3

Thiazide Diuretics example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 3

Hydrochlorothiazide
Hypertension, heart failure
Inhibits sodium reabsorption, reducing blood volume

Question 4

Loop Diuretics example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 4

Furosemide
Heart failure, hypertension w/ fluid retention
Inhibits sodium, potassium, and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle

Question 5

Sodium Channel Blockers example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 5

Lidocaine, Flecainide
Ventricular and atrial arrhythmias
Stabilizes abnormal electrical activity by blocking sodium channels

Question 6

Aldosterone Antagonists example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 6

Spironolactone
Heart failure, resistant hypertension
Blocks aldosterone, reducing sodium retention and blood pressure

Question 7

Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs) example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 7

Losartan
Hypertension, heart failure, diabetic nephropathy
Blocks angiotensin II, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone secretion

Question 8

Beta-Blockers example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 8

Metoprolol, Carvedilol
Hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, post-MI
Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and contractility

Question 9

ACE Inhibitors example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 9

Lisinopril
Hypertension, heart failure, post-MI, diabetic nephropathy
Inhibits ACE, reducing angiotensin II production and blood pressure

Question 10

Potassium Channel Blocker example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 10

Amiodarone
Atrial and ventricular arrhythmias
Blocks potassium channels, prolonging repolarization

Question 11

Nitrates example, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 11

Nitroglycerin
Angina, acute heart failure
Dilates veins and coronary arteries, reducing myocardial oxygen demand

Question 12

Antiplatelet Drugs exampls, indications, and mechanism?

Answer 12

Aspirin, Clopidogrel
Prevention of heart attacks, strokes, stent thrombosis
Inhibits platelet aggregation, reducing clot formation