4.4. Drugs treatments for CVD

• What is the primary action of drugs that lower blood pressure?

  Block sympathetic nervous system effects
• How do beta blockers reduce blood pressure?

  By blocking sympathetic tone on the heart
• Which type of beta blocker is selective for $b_1$ receptors?


  Atenolol
• What are the adverse effects of beta blockers?

  Exacerbate asthma and cause hypoglycaemia
• What is the mechanism of action for ACE inhibitors?

  Inhibit angiotensin converting enzyme
• How do ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure?

  By reducing formation of angiotensin II
• What is a common adverse effect of ACE inhibitors?

  Persistent irritant cough
• What do angiotensin II receptor blockers target?

  AT$_1$ and AT$_2$ receptors
• What is the effect of diuretics on blood pressure?

  They reduce blood volume
• What is the mechanism of action for calcium channel blockers?

  Block L-type voltage-operated calcium channels
• How do calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure?

  By reducing peripheral resistance and cardiac output
• What are the adverse effects of calcium channel blockers?

  Headache and cardiac dysrhythmias
• What is angina pectoris?

  Chest pain due to myocardial ischaemia
• What causes stable angina?

  Predictable myocardial O$_2$ demand not met
• What is the major strategy in treating all forms of angina?

  Reduce myocardial O$_2$ demand
• What is the formula for blood pressure?

  Blood Pressure = Total Peripheral Resistance x Cardiac Output
• What is the role of nitrovasodilators in angina treatment?

  They dilate blood vessels to reduce workload
• How do nitrovasodilators work in the body?

  They release nitric oxide to induce vasodilatation
• What are the side effects of nitrovasodilators?

  Headache and tolerance on prolonged use
• What is ivabradine used for?

  To treat angina by decreasing heart rate
• What defines heart failure?

  Heart fails to maintain adequate circulation
• What are common causes of chronic cardiac failure?

  Haemodynamic overload and tissue damage
• What is the primary objective of heart failure treatment?

  Reduce preload/afterload or increase heart work
• What causes chronic cardiac failure related to haemodynamic overload?

  Excess pressure and excess volume conditions
• What is neurohumoral overload in chronic cardiac failure?

  Conditions like thyrotoxicosis causing overload
• What tissue damage can lead to chronic cardiac failure?

  Myocardial infarction
• What is a genetically determined cause of chronic cardiac failure?

  Familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• What are symptoms of right ventricular failure?

  Venous distension, oedema, cyanosis
• What are symptoms of left ventricular failure?

  Fatigue and pulmonary oedema
• What indicates hypertension in a patient?

  Increased central venous pressure and preload
• What happens to stroke volume in hypertension?

  It increases
• What is the effect of hypertension on cardiac output?

  It increases
• What happens to peripheral vascular resistance in hypertension?

  It increases
• What is the effect of hypertension on diastolic arterial pressure?

  It increases
• What is afterload in the context of hypertension?

  It increases
• How does hypertension affect cardiac work?

  It increases
• What is the effect of hypertension on oxygen consumption?

  It increases
• What is the role of diuretics in heart failure treatment?

  Reduce fluid volume by excreting sodium
• How do ACE inhibitors help in heart failure?

  Lower blood pressure and induce sodium excretion
• What is the function of vasodilators in heart failure treatment?

  Reduce preload