Pharmacology of the CVS

Question 1

angina is a symptom of which disease?

Answer 1

CHD

Question 2

angina is caused by…

Answer 2

o Local myocardial ischaemia
o Oxygen demand exceeds supply
o Often precipitated by exertion, reversible on rest

Question 3

where does angina pain originate from?

Answer 3

heart muscle and is caused by the lactic acid produced during anaerobic respiration
o irritated/stimulated myocardial pain receptors which send messages via cardiac nerves and upper posterior nerve roots to the brain

Question 4

name the symptoms of angina:

Answer 4

o Feeling of cramping and severe constriction in the chest (crushing chest pain)
o Referred pain- jaw shoulders, neck and arms
o May be associated with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, increased HR
o Ischaemic products (e.g. Lactate, H+) stimulate sympathetic nociceptive afferents

Question 5

what are the treatment aims?

Answer 5

• Reduce/minimise symptoms in order to enhance/improve quality of life

-	To improve prognosis and prevent complications 
o	prevent MI and premature death
o	reduce plaque progression
o	stabilise plaque
o	prevent thrombosis

• Ideally you want a drug that is well tolerated and causes minimal side effects

Question 6

types of angina pectoris:

Answer 6

1. Stable Angina
2. Unstable Angina
3. Prinzmental Angina