Cardiac drugs

The heart is very useful, and cardiologists attempt to keep it that way. The drugs they use are below:

ACE inhibitors

How they work

These prevent the renin-angiotensin loop from working, thus preventing peripheral constriction of blood vessels, and effectively lower blood pressure.

What are they used for

They are commonly used to treat hypertension and

Common types and dose

• Ramipril

Side effects

They can have a negative effect on renal function, and should never be used on a patient with bilateral renal artery stenosis.

The key thing they are known for is that they cause a characteristic dry tickling cough, that won't go away. If patients get this, and can't cope with it, you need to take them off the drug, probably best to try them on a angiotensin-II receptor antagonist...

Diuretics

Diuretics are used to control hypertension, by reducing the amount of fluid in the body. They are so sexy that they have their own page. Check it out!