Cardiovascular

47 source-linked study cards in this body system.

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Drug classes in this body system

ACE inhibitors

Lisinopril · Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide · Amlodipine / Benazepril · Benazepril · Enalapril · Ramipril

Angiotensin II receptor blockers

Losartan · Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide · Valsartan · Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide · Irbesartan · Telmisartan · Sacubitril / Valsartan

Beta-adrenergic blockers

Metoprolol · Carvedilol · Atenolol · Propranolol · Nebivolol · Bisoprolol · Labetalol

Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers

Amlodipine · Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide · Amlodipine / Benazepril

Non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers

Verapamil

HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors

Atorvastatin · Rosuvastatin · Simvastatin · Pravastatin · Lovastatin

Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics

Hydrochlorothiazide · Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide · Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide · Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide · Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide · Chlorthalidone

How each medicine works

Medicines in this body system: 47 · in a drug class: 34 · drug classes: 10

Atorvastatin — Selectively and competitively inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis. In animal models, increased hepatic LDL receptors also contribute to LDL uptake and breakdown.

Lisinopril — Inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme, blocking conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and suppressing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system.

Amlodipine — Dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that inhibits transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle.

Metoprolol — Beta-1 selective (cardioselective) adrenergic receptor blocker without intrinsic sympathomimetic activity; blocks beta-2 at higher levels.

Losartan — Losartan and its active metabolite block the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II at its receptor.

Rosuvastatin — Inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme converting HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a precursor of cholesterol.

Hydrochlorothiazide — Affects distal renal tubular electrolyte reabsorption and increases sodium and chloride excretion. The selected label describes the mechanism of its antihypertensive effect as unknown.

Simvastatin — Prodrug hydrolyzed to simvastatin acid, which inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme of cholesterol synthesis.

Furosemide — Inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the loop of Henle and the proximal and distal tubules.

Carvedilol — Racemic mixture: nonselective beta-blockade from the S(-) enantiomer and alpha-1 blockade from both enantiomers; no intrinsic sympathomimetic activity.

Spironolactone — Competitively blocks aldosterone receptors in the distal tubule: more sodium and water excreted, potassium retained.

Pravastatin — Reversibly inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme converting HMG-CoA to mevalonate, a cholesterol precursor.

Ezetimibe — Blocks the NPC1L1 sterol transporter at the intestinal brush border, reducing cholesterol absorption and hepatic delivery.

Atenolol — Beta-1 selective adrenergic blocker without membrane stabilizing or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity; selectivity lost at higher doses.

Propranolol — Nonselective beta blockade generally reduces myocardial oxygen demand in angina. Its antihypertensive mechanism is not established; reduced cardiac output, renin release and sympathetic outflow may contribute.

Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide — Lisinopril inhibits ACE, lowering angiotensin II and aldosterone; hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic.

Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide — Losartan selectively blocks angiotensin II binding at AT1 receptors; hydrochlorothiazide increases renal sodium and chloride excretion.

Valsartan — Selectively blocks angiotensin II binding to AT1 receptors, inhibiting its vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects.

Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide — Olmesartan blocks angiotensin II effects, amlodipine blocks calcium entry into vascular smooth muscle, and HCTZ promotes sodium and chloride excretion.

Fenofibrate — Fenofibric acid activates PPAR-alpha, increasing lipoprotein lipase activity and lowering apo C-III, which reduces triglyceride-rich particles.

Diltiazem — Therapeutic effects are believed to relate to inhibition of calcium influx in cardiac and vascular smooth muscle; vascular relaxation lowers peripheral resistance and blood pressure.

Hydralazine — The precise mechanism is incompletely understood; hydralazine apparently lowers blood pressure through direct vascular smooth-muscle relaxation and altered cellular calcium handling, preferentially dilating arterioles.

Clonidine — Stimulates alpha-adrenoreceptors in the brain stem, reducing sympathetic outflow, peripheral resistance, heart rate and blood pressure.

Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide — HCTZ blocks renal tubular sodium and chloride reabsorption; triamterene inhibits distal sodium reabsorption, reducing potassium loss.

Chlorthalidone — A long-acting oral diuretic that increases sodium and chloride excretion. Its site of action appears to be the cortical diluting segment of the ascending limb of Henle’s loop; the antihypertensive mechanism is not wholly clear.

Isosorbide Mononitrate — Relaxes vascular smooth muscle, dilating peripheral arteries and especially veins.

Nifedipine — Inhibits calcium influx, dilating coronary arteries and arterioles and inhibiting coronary artery spasm.

Lovastatin — Lactone prodrug hydrolyzed to its beta-hydroxyacid, which inhibits HMG-CoA reductase, an early step in cholesterol synthesis.

Nitroglycerin (sublingual) — Releases nitric oxide, activating guanylate cyclase; rising cGMP dephosphorylates myosin light chains, relaxing vascular smooth muscle.

Irbesartan — Blocks the vasoconstrictor and aldosterone-secreting effects of angiotensin II at its receptor.

Nebivolol — Antihypertensive mechanism not definitively established; may involve lower heart rate and contractility, less renin, vasodilation.

Amlodipine / Benazepril — Benazepril inhibits ACE, lowering angiotensin II and aldosterone; amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker.

Benazepril — Benazeprilat inhibits ACE, blocking conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and lowering aldosterone.

Torsemide — Animal micropuncture studies show inhibition of the Na+/K+/2Cl− carrier from the lumen of the thick ascending loop of Henle, producing diuresis.

Amiodarone — Class III antiarrhythmic with properties of all four Vaughan Williams classes; blocks Na+ channels, antisympathetic.

Telmisartan — Blocks angiotensin II at the AT1 receptor, reducing vasoconstriction and aldosterone release.

Sacubitril / Valsartan — Sacubitril (via LBQ657) inhibits neprilysin; valsartan blocks the AT1 receptor.

Verapamil — Lowers blood pressure by decreasing systemic vascular resistance, usually without reflex tachycardia.

Enalapril — Hydrolyzed to enalaprilat, which inhibits ACE, blocking angiotensin II formation and aldosterone secretion.

Ramipril — Ramiprilat inhibits ACE, blocking conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II and reducing aldosterone.

Bisoprolol — Beta-1-selective adrenoceptor blocker without significant membrane-stabilizing or intrinsic sympathomimetic activity at therapeutic doses.

Ticagrelor — Reversibly binds the platelet P2Y12 ADP receptor, preventing signal transduction and platelet activation.

Labetalol — Combines selective competitive alpha1 blockade with nonselective competitive beta blockade.

Flecainide — Class IC membrane-stabilizing agent with local anesthetic activity; slows intracardiac conduction, most in the His-Purkinje system.

Evolocumab — Human IgG2 antibody against PCSK9; blocks PCSK9 binding to LDL receptors, leaving more receptors to clear LDL-C.

Icosapent Ethyl — EPA ethyl ester; thought to reduce hepatic VLDL-TG synthesis and/or secretion and to enhance TG clearance from VLDL.

Bumetanide — Loop diuretic; inhibits sodium and chloride reabsorption in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.

Each summary is the mechanism line from the medicine’s study card.

Listed most often on cards in this body system

Used for

Hypertension · 7/47: Amlodipine, Atenolol, Diltiazem, Clonidine, Irbesartan, Nebivolol, Torsemide

Hypertension in adults · 6/47: Metoprolol, Chlorthalidone, Telmisartan, Ramipril, Bisoprolol, Labetalol

Hypertension in adults and children aged 6 years and older · 3/47: Lisinopril, Losartan, Valsartan

Common side effects

Dizziness · 26/47: Lisinopril, Amlodipine, Metoprolol, Losartan, Furosemide, Carvedilol, Spironolactone, Atenolol, Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide (+16)

Headache · 22/47: Lisinopril, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Spironolactone, Pravastatin, Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide, Valsartan, Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide, Hydralazine, Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide (+12)

Nausea · 10/47: Rosuvastatin, Hydrochlorothiazide, Simvastatin, Furosemide, Hydralazine, Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone, Verapamil, Labetalol, Bumetanide

Fatigue · 10/47: Carvedilol, Ezetimibe, Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide, Valsartan, Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide, Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide, Nebivolol, Enalapril, Ramipril, Labetalol

Cough · 9/47: Lisinopril, Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, Amlodipine / Benazepril, Benazepril, Sacubitril / Valsartan, Enalapril, Ramipril, Bisoprolol

Hypotension · 7/47: Lisinopril, Carvedilol, Valsartan, Torsemide, Sacubitril / Valsartan, Verapamil, Bumetanide

Constipation · 7/47: Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Diltiazem, Clonidine, Lovastatin, Verapamil, Icosapent Ethyl

Diarrhea · 5/47: Atorvastatin, Pravastatin, Ezetimibe, Telmisartan, Bisoprolol

Warnings

Myopathy / rhabdomyolysis · 5/47: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin, Ezetimibe

Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy · 4/47: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin, Pravastatin

Angioedema · 4/47: Lisinopril, Benazepril, Sacubitril / Valsartan, Ramipril

Hyperkalemia · 4/47: Lisinopril, Losartan, Spironolactone, Benazepril

Acute liver failure or decompensated cirrhosis · 3/47: Atorvastatin, Rosuvastatin, Simvastatin

Renal impairment · 3/47: Lisinopril, Benazepril, Ramipril

Hypotension in volume-depleted patients · 3/47: Losartan, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide

Hypotension · 3/47: Valsartan, Telmisartan, Sacubitril / Valsartan

Interactions

Lithium · 14/47: Lisinopril, Losartan, Furosemide, Spironolactone, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, Valsartan, Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide, Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone, Irbesartan (+4)

NSAIDs · 10/47: Lisinopril, Losartan, Spironolactone, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, Valsartan, Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide, Amlodipine / Benazepril, Benazepril, Torsemide, Ramipril

Digoxin · 3/47: Atorvastatin, Amiodarone, Telmisartan

Boxed warning

19/47: Lisinopril, Losartan, Atenolol, Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, Valsartan, Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide, Triamterene / Hydrochlorothiazide, Irbesartan, Amlodipine / Benazepril (+9)

Same boxed-warning wording on: Lisinopril, Losartan

Same boxed-warning wording on: Lisinopril / Hydrochlorothiazide, Losartan / Hydrochlorothiazide, Valsartan

Same boxed-warning wording on: Olmesartan / Amlodipine / Hydrochlorothiazide, Irbesartan

Same boxed-warning wording on: Benazepril, Telmisartan, Sacubitril / Valsartan, Enalapril, Ramipril

An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.