Heparin is an anticoagulant medication used to reduce the formation and growth of blood clots. It is a therapy that acts on the coagulation system rather than on the heart muscle itself. It is commonly used in acute cardiovascular care, catheter-based procedures, and perioperative cardiothoracic settings. It is given by injection or intravenous infusion and is monitored with blood tests in many clinical uses.
Nitroglycerin is a nitrate medication that relaxes vascular smooth muscle. It is used mainly in cardiology as a therapy for ischemic chest pain (angina) and some acute heart failure presentations. It is commonly given in emergency, inpatient, and perioperative settings. It is also used in outpatient care for selected patients with chronic coronary artery disease.
Statins are medications that lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the blood. They are a pharmacologic therapy used in cardiovascular prevention and lipid management. They are commonly prescribed for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction. They are used in outpatient preventive care and after acute events such as myocardial infarction (MI).
Antiplatelet Therapy is medication-based treatment that reduces platelet activation and aggregation. It is a therapy used to lower the risk of arterial thrombosis, especially in coronary and cerebral circulation. It is commonly used in coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndrome, stroke prevention strategies, and after percutaneous coronary intervention.
Anticoagulants are medications that reduce the blood’s ability to form clots. They are a form of drug therapy used to prevent or treat thrombosis (pathologic clotting). They are commonly used in cardiology, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and perioperative care. They are often discussed alongside atrial fibrillation, venous thromboembolism, and prosthetic heart valves.
Diuretics are medications that increase urine production to help the body excrete sodium and water. They are a therapy used across cardiology, nephrology, and internal medicine. They are commonly prescribed for fluid overload (congestion) and for blood pressure control. They are frequently used in heart failure, hypertension, and edema-related presentations.
Calcium Channel Blockers are medications that reduce calcium entry into cells through voltage-gated calcium channels. They are primarily a cardiovascular therapy used to lower blood pressure and treat certain rhythm and ischemic conditions. They act on vascular smooth muscle and, in some types, on the heart’s conduction system and myocardium. They are commonly used in outpatient hypertension care and in selected inpatient acute-care scenarios.
ARBs are angiotensin II receptor blockers, a class of cardiovascular medications. They act on the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS), a core hormonal pathway in blood pressure and fluid regulation. ARBs are used mainly in cardiology and internal medicine for long-term medical therapy. They are commonly prescribed for hypertension and selected patients with heart failure, kidney disease, or vascular risk.
ACE Inhibitors are medications that reduce the activity of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS). They are a pharmacologic therapy used in cardiovascular and renal medicine. They are commonly used for hypertension and heart failure, and after certain myocardial infarctions. They are prescribed in outpatient care and in selected inpatient settings.
Beta Blockers are medications that reduce the effects of adrenaline-like signals on the heart and blood vessels. They are a pharmacologic therapy used in cardiology, internal medicine, and perioperative care. They are commonly used to manage heart rhythm, blood pressure, angina, and certain forms of heart failure. They are also used in selected non-cardiac conditions where sympathetic (“fight-or-flight”) signaling is clinically relevant.