Pharmacological management of heart failure targets the underlying pathophysiology of a failing, overworked left ventricle through multiple drug classes: beta blockers reduce heart rate and adrenergic stress on the heart, ACE inhibitors reduce vascular resistance and sodium/water retention by blocking the renin-angiotensin system, diuretics reduce fluid overload by increasing sodium and water excretion, and inotropic agents (including digitalis) increase cardiac contractility but carry a risk of overtaxing an already weakened heart. This belongs to cardiology and clinical pharmacology, specifically the management of left ventricular systolic heart failure, most commonly caused by atherosclerotic ischemic heart disease.
Pharmacological management of heart failure targets the underlying pathophysiology of a failing, overworked left ventricle through multiple drug classes: beta blockers reduce heart rate and adrenergi…