Review Flashcards
Signs and symptoms of hypertension
Flushed face
Headache*
Vision changes
Strong bounding pulses
Dizziness
How do we tell when the hypertension medications are working?
Lower HTN around 120/80
What are some common adverse effects of most blood pressure medications?
Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension
If systolic is less than 100.. we hold medication
Signs of hypotension?
Dizzy
Pale
Nauseous
Syncope
Patient education for hypertension medications
Get up slowly
Don’t stop taking abruptly because it can cause rebound hypertension which can cause hypertension crisis
Taken everyday
Adverse effects of ace inhibitors
Angioedema- EMERGENCY
Hypotension
Cough- report so we can switch
Hyperkalemia- avoid salt substitutes
Very nephrotoxic
Interactions for ACE inhibitors
Other anti HTN
NSAIDS- also nephrotoxic
What do ARBs end with
Sartan
Losartan and valsartan
Benefits of arb over ace
No cough
Lower risk of Angioedema- but hold if history with ace
Lower risk of hyperkalemia
Adverse effects of beta blockers
Bradycardia- hold if HR is < 60
Hypotension- hold if < 100
Rebound tachycardia (don’t stop suddenly)
Signs and symptoms of bradycardia?
Fatigue
Dizziness
Treat with atropine
What are the calcium channel blockers?
Verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine
What do Verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine treat
Hypertension, angina, and dysrhythmias
Which calcium channel blocker is used for hypertension
Amlodipine
Which calcium channel blocker is used for dysrhythmias
Verapamil, diltiazem
Adverse effects of the calcium channel blockers
Cardio suppression (bradycardia/hf)
Orthostatic hypotension
Constipation, especially verapamil, so moving around/exercise, drink fluids, dietary fiber
Rebound tachycardia/hypertension
Interactions of Verapamil, diltiazem, amlodipine
Anything that lowers heart rate
Digoxin, beta blockers and grape fruit juice
What is angina?
Chest pain that is caused by the heart due to lack of oxygen and blood flow
Difference between angina and heart attack?
In angina some blood can still get by, but with heart attack there is a total blockage of the artery so no blood gets by
What is the main medication used to treat angina?
Nitroglycerine and isosorbide
How do nitrates work?
Vasodilation of the coronary arteries
Adverse effects of nitroglycerine and isosorbide
Headache (normal) due to vasodilation
Hypotension
What would we give for acute angina
Sublingual because it’s rapid treatment
And if they are having a heart attack right now.. we give IV
Cautions for nitroglycerine and isosorbide
ED medications like slidenafil. They cannot have nitro within 24 hours of the last time they took this medication because it causes life threatening hypotension that’s irreversible
Anti HTN meds
Education for nitroglycerine and isosorbide
Store in a dark, cool, and dry place. The medication will degrade if there is light, heat or moisture.
Angina attack: stop, sit, take 1 tablet and rest for 5 mins. If not improved, call 911.
Can take 3 total doses 5 mins apart
What is heart failure
The heart is not pumping enough blood. It can’t fill.. and it can’t pump.. It can be caused by chronic hypertension, heart attack, coronary artery disease, etc.
What’s the main drug to treat heart failure
Digoxin
What is digoxin
It’s a positive inotropic (increase force of contraction of heart)
Negative chronotropic (slows the heart rate by slowing the signals that start in the SA node)
Negative dromotropic (slows speed.. by slowing the travel of the impulse through the conduction system)
Before giving digoxin what should we asses for
Heart rate.. hold if less than 60
Check apical heart rate for 1 full min.
Adverse effects for digoxin
Bradycardia
toxicity
It has a narrow therapeutic window 0.5-2.0 ng/ml… greater than 2=toxicity