Medications and PMH Flashcards
Warfarin
Anticoagulant, prevents blood clot formation as AF have increased risk of thrombotic stroke
Works as a Vitamin K agonist
Treats: atrial fibrillation
Define atrial fibrillation, result and cause
Irregular contraction of the atria, without time to relax atria fully.
Can cause fast heartbeat and arrhythmia .
Caused by faulty electrical signalling which overrides the hearts pacemaker cells.
Anticoagulant warning
And what diet to keep
Should carry a yellow alert card
Bruising, excessive bleeding
Keep stable amounts of Vit K in diet (green leafy veg, egg yolk)
Do not drink cranberry juice, grapefruit or pomegranate as can heighten effects of blood thinning.
How does warfarin work
Vitamin K antagonist.
Vit K reduced in liver, which acts as a cofactors for gamma carboxylation of Vitamin K dependent coagulation factors, preventing clotting factors 2,7,9,10 forming
What are Vit K dependent clotting factors
Factors 2,7,9,10
What does ramipril treat in this case
Stable Angina - dilates blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the heart
How does ramipril work
Inhibit activity of Angiotensin converting enzyme- responsible for enzymes that control blood pressure.
This makes the blood vessels dilate, improving blood flow to the heart
Define Angina and common symptoms
Chest pain that is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
Symptoms: tightness, pressure on chest can travel to neck and arms.
SOB. Can be exacerbated on exercise
Define hypothyroidism
A condition where the thyroid is underactive, meaning hormone production is decreased.
Reduced levels of t3 and t4 are produced, hormones that help to control metabolism.
Symptoms of hypothyroidism
Causes
Fatigue
Weight gain
Causes: hashimotos disease- most common, autoimmune disorder which inflames thyroid decreasing production. radiation to the neck,
What does bisoprolol treat in this case
Atrial fibrillation and angina
Slows rapid HR for AF and arrhythmia associated
Also treats angina by decreasing myocardial oxygen demand by inhibiting effect of catecholamines ( hormones that act on sympathetic nervous system)
How does bisoprolol work
Bisoprolol is a beta blocker, which slows and controls heart contractions.
It works on B1 receptors found specifically in the heart, rather than B2 found in the lungs and around the body.
GTN stands for.
Glyceryl trinitrate
GTN works how?
Angina attacks short term action
Causes vasodilation allowing inc blood flow to heart and stop constriction
Thyroxine
Is a synthetic hormone replacement of T4. This is chosen of T3 replacement because it is absorbed more slowly so less risk of toxicity.
