Cardiovascular drugs
Cardiovascular pharmacology groups drugs by physiological target and intended outcome rather than brand. Key systems include vascular tone, cardiac contractility and rhythm, blood volume and clot formation.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Cardiovascular drugs — specialty learning map
Original conceptual SVG · scalableOriginal overview diagram showing four related domains. This is not a literal anatomy drawing, histologic image or clinical decision rule.
Pressure and resistance
Different antihypertensive classes affect vascular smooth muscle, the renin–angiotensin system, heart rate or renal sodium handling by distinct mechanisms.
Volume and cardiac function
Diuretics modify sodium and water excretion; other drug classes affect neurohormonal signaling or cardiovascular function in selected clinical syndromes.
Electrical rhythm
Antiarrhythmic drug effects involve cardiac ion channels, autonomic signaling or conduction. Mechanism does not alone determine safety or indication.
Thrombotic risk
Antiplatelet agents modify platelet activation, whereas anticoagulants act at different steps of the coagulation system. Their risks and indications are not interchangeable.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.