Medication
In general, the drugs used to treat cardiovascular disease
are classified according to the condition for which they
are most often prescribed. Some of the common classes
of drugs are listed below.
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Angiotensin converting
enzyme inhibitors – also known as ACE inhibitors,
these medicines reduce the narrowing effect exerted
on blood vessels by the angiotensin converting enzyme
(ACE). They are recommended for patients with congestive
heart failure as well as hypertensive patients. |
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Anti-anginal drugs
– for instance, beta-blockers and calcium
channel blockers (e.g. verapamil). These have the
effect of relaxing the muscles in the heart and
its blood vessels, thus alleviating the crushing
chest pain which comes with attacks of angina. Beta-blockers
impede the action of hormones such as adrenaline
which make the heart beat faster and more vigorously;
while calcium channel blockers reduce the amount
of calcium entering the muscle cells of coronary
arteries, causing these vessels to relax and widen. |
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Anti-arrhythmic
drugs – for example, amiodarone and flecainide.
They are used to control disturbances in the heart
rhythm. |
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Anticoagulants
– these reduce a patient’s risk of thrombosis
(blood clot formation). Blood clots are made up
of two elements, platelets (minute blood cells)
clumped together and a protein called fibrin. Anticoagulants
help to guard against blood clots by preventing
fibrin from forming. They are often prescribed for
patients with coronary heart disease, who are especially
vulnerable to thrombosis in their already-narrowed
coronary arteries. Examples include heparin and
warfarin. |
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Anti-platelet
drugs – they are similar in nature to anticoagulants
in that they prevent the formation of blood clots.
Unlike anticoagulants however, they work not by
targeting the fibrin in blood, but by decreasing
the ability of platelets to bind together into clots.
Aspirin is the anti-platelet drug most commonly
prescribed. It is often recommended for patients
with coronary heart disease or atherosclerosis,
and also seems to protect against ischaemic strokes. |
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Diuretics
– these are used in the treatment of patients
suffering from congestive heart failure who tend
to have excessive amounts of water and salt in their
bodies. Diuretics help to increase the output of
water and salt in the urine. Thiazide, loop diuretics
and potassium sparing diuretics are the three main
types. |
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