What is heart failure pharmacology?
Heart failure is a progressive clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional abnormalities of the heart, resulting in reduced cardiac output. It is characterised by symptoms such as shortness of breath, persistent coughing or wheezing, ankle swelling, reduced exercise tolerance, and fatigue.
What are the drugs used in heart failure?
Some of the main medicines for heart failure include:
- ACE inhibitors.
- angiotensin-2 receptor blockers (ARBs)
- beta blockers.
- mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists.
- diuretics.
- ivabradine.
- sacubitril valsartan.
- hydralazine with nitrate.
What is the goal of heart failure drugs?
The goal of treatments for heart failure is to relieve symptoms; reduce the chances that you will develop complications; and slow, stop, or reverse the progression of the underlying process.
What is heart failure pathophysiology?
Heart failure is the pathophysiologic state in which the heart, via an abnormality of cardiac function (detectable or not), fails to pump blood at a rate commensurate with the requirements of the metabolizing tissues or is able to do so only with an elevated diastolic filling pressure.
What diuretic is used for heart failure?
Diuretics in Chronic Heart Failure In general, due to their greater effectiveness, loop diuretics, such as furosemide, are the mainstay of diuretic therapy in HF.
What drugs are contraindicated in heart failure?
Drugs that can exacerbate heart failure should be avoided, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), and most antiarrhythmic drugs (except class III).
What is the main treatment goal in managing heart failure?
The goals of treating heart failure are to try to keep it from getting worse (lowering the risk of death and the need for hospitalization), to ease symptoms, and to improve quality of life.
What are the complications of heart failure?
Although heart failure produces very high mortality rates, treatment advances are improving survival rates.
- Cardiac Cachexia.
- Impaired Kidney Function.
- Congestion (Fluid Buildup)
- Arrhythmias (Irregular Beatings of the Heart)
- Angina and Heart Attacks.
- Symptoms.
- Fatigue.
- Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea)
How is heart failure defined?
Heart failure is a chronic, progressive condition in which the heart muscle is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs for blood and oxygen. Basically, the heart can’t keep up with its workload.
What is the main cause of heart failure?
Coronary artery disease is the most common form of heart disease and the most common cause of heart failure. The disease results from the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, which reduces blood flow and can lead to heart attack. A heart attack occurs suddenly when a coronary artery becomes completely blocked.
Why is Lasix given for heart failure?
Furosemide is given to help treat fluid retention (edema) and swelling that is caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, kidney disease, or other medical conditions. It works by acting on the kidneys to increase the flow of urine.
How are anticoagulants used to treat heart failure?
Anticoagulants (*blood thinners) These drugs may be prescribed if you are a heart failure patient with atrial fibrillation or have another problem with your heart. Anticoagulants are not used to treat heart failure without the presence of atrial fibrillation.
How are beta blockers used to treat heart failure?
This drug class reduces the heart rate, similar to another class of drugs called beta blockers. Causes the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. Helps to relieve the heart’s workload. Decreases the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs.
Are there any drugs that can cause heart failure?
Antiarrhythmic drugs – some antiarrhythmic drugs, such as flecainide, increases the risk of ventricular arrhythmias and may worsen heart failure. Similarly, dronedarone has been linked to an elevated mortality risk in some patients.
What kind of medications are used to treat heart disease?
Commonly prescribed include: 1 Acebutolol (Sectral) 2 Atenolol (Tenormin) 3 Betaxolol (Kerlone) 4 Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac) 5 Bisoprolol (Zebeta) 6 Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL) 7 Nadolol (Corgard) 8 Propranolol (Inderal) 9 Sotalol (Betapace)