Pharmacotherapies for Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Over the past several decades, the field of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy has made significant strides in the development of novel drugs and therapeutic strategies impacting cardiovascular risk reduction. This chapter will cover pharmacotherapies for cardiovascular disease risk reduction in the management of hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, tobacco use, and coronary artery disease. Each topic will discuss indications, supporting clinical trial data, pharmacotherapeutics, and nursing considerations for monitoring and patient education. Overall, this chapter provides an up-to-date overview of the current state of cardiovascular pharmacotherapy in cardiovascular risk reduction.