Cardiovascular pharmacology is the study of how we manipulate pressure, flow, volume, and electrical conduction to improve outcomes.

This section is organized into progressive modules.

Each module builds on the previous one — from physiology → mechanisms → disease states → clinical decision-making.

Before treating disease, you must understand pressure and flow.

Core equations: MAP = CO × SVR CO = HR × SV

This module covers: • Blood flow as a circuit • Preload, afterload, and contractility • Short-term regulation (baroreceptors) • Long-term regulation (RAAS and kidney control)

→ Go to Module 1: Hemodynamic Foundations

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory vascular process.

This module focuses on: • LDL physiology • Plaque formation • Statins and outcome data • Non-statin lipid therapies • Risk reduction strategies

→ Go to Module 2: Antilipemics

Blood pressure and heart failure are heavily influenced by volume status.

This module covers: • Nephron physiology • Diuretic classes • Electrolyte effects • Clinical volume management

→ Go to Module 3: Diuretics

Hypertension results from increased cardiac output, increased systemic vascular resistance, or both.

This module integrates: • RAAS blockade • Calcium channel blockers • Beta blockers • Direct vasodilators • Guideline-directed therapy

→ Go to Module 4: Hypertension

Angina is a mismatch between myocardial oxygen supply and demand.

This module covers: • Determinants of oxygen demand • Nitrates • Beta blockers • Calcium channel blockers • Acute vs chronic management

→ Go to Module 5: Anti-Anginal Therapy

Heart failure is a state of impaired forward flow and maladaptive neurohormonal activation.

This module focuses on: • HFrEF vs HFpEF • Preload and afterload reduction • RAAS inhibition • Beta blockade • Mortality-reducing therapy (GDMT)

→ Go to Module 6: Heart Failure

Electrical instability leads to abnormal automaticity and conduction.

This module includes: • Cardiac action potentials • Vaughan-Williams classification • Rate vs rhythm control • Proarrhythmic risks

→ Go to Module 7: Dysrhythmias

By completing all modules, you should be able to:

✔ Predict how any cardiovascular drug alters MAP ✔ Explain preload and afterload clearly ✔ Select first-line therapy for hypertension and HFrEF ✔ Understand mortality benefit vs symptom control ✔ Connect electrophysiology to antiarrhythmic selection ✔ Think mechanistically — not memorization-based

Cardiovascular pharmacology is not about isolated drug lists.

It is about understanding the system — and intervening intelligently.