Treatment of CVD

• What do antihypertensives do?

  • They include beta blockers which reduce the strength of a heart beat
  • they include vasodilators which widen blood vessels
  • they include diuretics which work by reducing the amount of sodium that’s reabsorbed by the blood in the kidneys
  • this results in less water being reabsorbed which reduces blood volume
  • This reduced blood pressure, so less chance occurring to walls
• What are the benefits of antihypertensives?

  • there are different kinds that work in different ways
  • a combination can be given to reduce blood pressure
  • blood pressure can be monitored at home to see if it’s working
• What are the risks of antihypertensives?

  • Palpitations, abnormal heart rhythm
  • fainting
  • headache
  • drowsiness
  • blood pressure too low
  • depression
• What do statins do?

  • Reduce blood cholesterol by reducing LDL levels in the liver
  • this reduces risk of atheroma formation which increases risk of CVD
• Benefits of statins?

  reduce risk of CVD development
• Risks of statins?

  • muscle and joint pain
  • digestive system problems
  • increased risk of diabetes
  • nosebleeds, headaches and nausea
• what do anticoagulants do?

  • They reduce blood clotting
  • blood clots less likely to form at damaged artery walls
  • less chance of blocked blood vessels
• Benefits of anticoagulants?

  • can be used on people who have existing blood clots
  • they prevent existing blood clots from growing
  • prevent new blood clots from forming
  • can’t get rid of existing clots
• risks of anticoagulants?

  • If person is badly injured while taking these drugs excessive bleeding can be caused which can lead to fainting or death
  • allergic reactions
  • swelling of tissue
  • can damage fetus if taken during pregnancy
• How do platelet inhibitors work?

  • They prevent platelets from clumping together
  • this reduces formation of clots reducing risk of vessels being blocked
• Benefits of platelet inhibitors ?

  can be used on people who already have blood clots
• Risks of platelet inhibitors?

  rashes

  diarrhoea

  nausea

  liver function problems

  excessive bleeding if injured