Prescription Medications: the cardiovascular system

The heart and blood vessels are subject to numerous different diseases, but these diseases are often treated using the same or similar drugs. Please message me with any omissions or things that you think need to be corrected.

Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats)

• Inotropes – increase or decrease the rate and force of heart contractions
• Beta blockers – block the action of catecholamines (such as adrenaline/epinephrine) on beta receptors of cells

Heart Failure

• Diuretics – used to decrease the volume of blood, thus decreasing the amount of effort the heart has to put in to beating; often referred to as "water tablets".
• Inotropes
• Alpha blockers – block the action of catecholamines on alpha receptors of cells
• Beta blockers
• ACE (angiotensin-coverting enzyme) inhibitors
• Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
• Nitrates
• Calcium-channel blockers
• Anticoagulants

Angina

• Antiplatelets
• Nitrates
• Beta blockers
• Calcium-channel blockers
• Potassium-channel activators

Heart attack

• Antiplatelets
• Beta blockers
• ACE inhibitors
• Statins
• Antithrombins
• Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors
• Thrombolysis
• Diamorphine (a drug rather than a class, but important part of treatment of acute heart attack)

Raised cholesterol

• Statins

High blood pressure

• ACE inhibitors
• Beta blockers
• Calcium-channel blockers
• Diuretics (thiazide type)
• Alpha blockers
• Angiotensin II receptor antagonists
• Vasodilator antihypertensives