| name: | Antianginal Drugs |
| also known as: | Angina Drugs; Anginal Drugs; Antianginal Medications; Antiangina Drugs |
| also see: | Nitrates; Calcium Channel Blockers; Beta Blockers; Angina |
| description: | Angina is characterized by sudden chest pain caused by insufficient oxygen to the heart. There are three types of angina: classic stable angina that occurs on exertion and is due to coronary artery disease, unstable angina that occurs or continues even at rest, and Prinzmetal's variant angina that is due to coronary artery spasm and not necessarily due to coronary artery disease. Most cases of angina is the classic form, 90%. About 10% of unstable angina progresses onto heart attack. The therapeutic goals of angina treatment include delivering more oxygen to the heart muscle, itself, and, decrease the demand of the heart for oxygen. Four factors are responsible for oxygen demand by the heart: heart rate, heart wall tension of stiffness, peripheral vascular resistance, and preload filling pressure. The four drug categories in treating angina include: aspirin, nitrates, calcium channel blockers, and beta blockers. |
| signs & symptoms: | Side effects can include potassium imbalance (increase potassium, hyperkalemia). |
| treatment: | Varies depending upon which drug is given, although most antianginal drugs are given orally. |
skynetMD suggests the following:
| if: | If you have questions, problems, or concerns regarding any medication |
| go to: | Go to the phone and ask your pharmacist or your doctor, or go to the doctor. |
Last updated 9/12/2007