Cardiovascular Drug Introduction Cardiovascular medications can be broken down into the following categories Antiarrhythmics Antihypertensives Inotropes Vasodilators Diuretics Antihyperlipidemics Anti-plateletes Thrombolytics Hydralazine Mechanism ↑ cGMP → smooth muscle relaxation results in ↓ TPR can stimulate reflex tachycardia frequently coadministered with a β-blocker to inhibit compensatory action vasodilates arterioles > veins Clinical use moderate/severe hypertension ↓ BP CHF ↓ afterload hypertension in pregnancy with methyldopa Toxicity contraindicated in angina/CAD can ↑ cardiac demand fluid retention headache lupus-like syndrome (especially for slow acetylators) hydrALAzine : ANA Minoxidil Mechanism K+-channel opener hyperpolarizes and relaxes vascular smooth muscle Clinical use severe hypertension Toxicity hypertrichosis active ingredient in topical Rogaine pericardial effusion reflex tachycardia angina salt retention