PHARMACOTHERAPY FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISORDERS
heart disease remains the No. 1 killer in America; nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoke—some of the leading risk factors for heart disease…
—Murphy et al., 2018
Despite the high mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disorders, improved treatment options do exist that can help address those risk factors that afflict the majority of the population today.
As an advanced practice nurse, it is your responsibility to recommend appropriate treatment options for patients with cardiovascular disorders. To ensure the safety and effectiveness of drug therapy, advanced practice nurses must consider aspects that might influence pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic processes such as medical history, other drugs currently prescribed, and individual patient factors.
Sample Answer
You are correct that heart disease is the number one killer in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease is responsible for one in four deaths in the United States. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking are all major risk factors for heart disease.
There are a number of treatment options available for patients with cardiovascular disorders. These options include lifestyle changes, medications, and surgery. Lifestyle changes that can help to reduce the risk of heart disease include eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and not smoking. Medications that can help to treat heart disease include statins, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors. Surgery may be recommended for some patients with severe heart disease.