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Drugs
MEDOP 230- Cardiology: Drugs
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| ACE inhibitors | Treat congestive heart failure and hypertension by producing vasodilation. |
| Antiarrhythmics | Treat arrythmias. |
| Anticoagulants | Prevent blood clot formation in patients with arteriosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, previous myocardial infarction, or artificial heart valves. |
| Antihypertensives | Treat hypertension; category includes ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics. |
| Aspirin | Prevents heart attack by keeping platelets from sticking together to form clots. |
| Beta-blockers | Treat angina pectoris and hypertension by blocking beta receptors, which decreases heart rate and dilates the arteries. |
| Calcium channel blockers | Treat angina pectoris and hypertension by blocking the movement of calcium ions, which decreases heart rate and blood pressure. |
| Digitalis drugs | Treat congestive heart failure by decreasing heart rate and strengthening cardiac contractions. |
| Diuretics | “Water pills”; decrease blood pressure by increasing sodium and water excretion in the urine. |
| Lipid-lowering drugs | Treat high cholesterol levels; sometimes called statins. |
| Nitroglycerin drugs | Treat angina pectoris by dilating the arteries to decrease blood pressure. |
| Thrombolytics | Used to break apart clots that are blocking blood flow through an artery. |