Cardiovascular
Drugs acting on the heart, vessels, blood pressure and clotting. Seven classes you'll administer and monitor constantly on any med-surg or telemetry floor.
Beta-Blockers
-olol High-yieldSlow heart rate & lower BP by blocking β-adrenergic receptors. Watch for bradycardia.
ACE Inhibitors
-pril High-yieldLower BP by blocking angiotensin conversion. Classic dry cough & angioedema risk.
Statins
-statinLower LDL cholesterol via HMG-CoA reductase inhibition. Monitor for myopathy.
Anticoagulants
High-yield Bleed riskPrevent clot formation. High-alert medications — bleeding precautions essential.
Calcium Channel Blockers
-dipineRelax vessels (dihydropyridines) or slow the heart (non-dihydropyridines). Watch edema & bradycardia.
Diuretics
High-yieldOffload fluid via the kidney — loop, thiazide & potassium-sparing. Monitor electrolytes closely.
Antiarrhythmics
High-yieldRestore & maintain normal rhythm across the four Vaughan-Williams classes. All can be proarrhythmic.
Cardiac Glycosides (Digoxin)
High-yieldStrengthen and slow the heart in HF and atrial fibrillation. Narrow therapeutic index — a high-alert drug.
Nitrates
High-yieldVasodilators that relieve angina by cutting cardiac workload. Never combine with PDE5 inhibitors.
ARBs
-sartan High-yieldBlock the angiotensin II receptor — the ACE-inhibitor alternative without the cough. Recognizable by -sartan.
Antiplatelets
High-yieldStop platelets from clumping — the arterial-clot drugs. Distinct from anticoagulants; do not stop after a stent.
Vasopressors & Inotropes
High-yieldAdrenergic drugs that raise blood pressure and cardiac output in shock. High-alert ICU titration.
Other Antihypertensives
Alpha-blockers, central alpha-2 agonists, and direct vasodilators — the add-on/resistant-HTN agents.