CARDIOVASCULAR DRUGS

Edited by, SNEHA MAVIS 

Cardiovascular agents are medications used to treat medical conditions involving the heart or the circulatory system (blood vessels), such as arrhythmias, blood clots, coronary artery disease, high or low blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart failure and stroke. The term "cardiovascular agent" refers to a wide range of drug classes. 

ANTICOAGULANTS:

These agents prevent the blood from coagulating or clotting. They are sometimes referred to as blood thinners, despite the fact that they do not actually thin the blood. These medications do not dissolve existing blood clots but are used to prevent them in people who have had heart attack.

Eg: Dabigatran, enoxaparin, rivaroxaban, heparin and warfarin.

ANTIPLATELET AGENTS:

Platelets are vital for blood clotting and the formation of platelet plugs, which help to prevent bleeding. Therefore these drugs prevent the formation of blood clots by preventing platelets from adhering together. In individuals who have had a heart attack, unstable angina or ischemic strokes, it helps to prevent clots.

Eg: Aspirin, clopidogrel, ticlopidine and dipyridamole.

ANGIOTENSIN CONVERTING ENZYME INHIBITORS (ACE INHIBITORS):

These drugs dilate blood vessels by reducing angiotensin II levels, a powerful vasoconstrictor that rises blood pressure. High blood pressure, heart failure and heart attacks or treated with ACE inhibitors. They inhibit the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme that convert angiotensin I to angiotensin II.

Eg: captopril, enalapril, fosinopril and lisinopril 

ANGIOTENSIN II RECEPTOR BLOCKERS:

These drugs work by inhibiting the receptors that angiotensin II binds to, preventing it from having any effect on the heart and blood vessels. High blood pressure, heart failure and heart attacks can be treated with these drugs.

Eg: Candesartan, Irbesartan, Losartan, Telmisartan and Valsartan 

BETA BLOCKERS:

Beta blockers, also called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, prevent  norepinephrine and epinephrine (adrenaline) from binding to beta receptors on neurons. These agents lower heart rate and cardiac output. Blood pressure and heart rate are reduced as a result. Beta blockers are effective treatments for high blood pressure, arrhythmia and angina.

Eg: Atenolol, Bisoprolol, Metoprolol, Propranolol and sotalol 

CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS:

Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the heart and blood vessels cells. This helps to relax the blood vessels and lower blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers or treatment options for high blood pressure, angina and some types of arrhythmia.

Eg: Amlodipine, Felodipine, Nifedipine, Verapamil 

DIGITALIS PREPARATIONS:

Increases the force with which the heart contracts. It may be useful in the treatment of heart failure and irregular heart beats. It is particularly useful in atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure.

Example: Digoxin 

VASODILATORS:

These drugs relax the blood vessels and thereby lower the blood pressure. Nitrates are a type of vasodilator that enhances the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, while decreasing its workload which can relieve chest pain (angina).

Eg: Isosorbide dinitrate, Isosorbide Mononitrate, Hydralazine, Nitroglycerin 

STATINS:

These substances inhibit the synthesis of blood cholesterol in the liver. One of the primary causes of atherosclerosis is high blood cholesterol. These agents inhibit the activity of HMG CoA enzyme.

Eg: Atorvastatin, Lovastatin, Simvastatin 

DIURETICS:

Diuretics cause an increase in the excretion of water and sodium in the urine, resulting in a decrease in total blood volume. This lowers blood pressure and the workload of the heart.

Eg: Chlorothiazide, amiloride, furosemide, and spironolactone.