Examining Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Cardiovascular Medication(s) on Patients

Abstract Objective Discussion

This research project surveyed 10 people on information, ages 18-35 regarding their medication(s),
● It was determined that the most common side-effect in general was
lifestyle, and side-effects. They were also asked about their awareness of the side-effects prior to taking The objective of this study is to identify common side effects, whether long term or short term, in categorized cardiovascular fatigue. Almost all participants reported fatigue, and following side
medication. 4 were female, 6 were male. 4 were white, 3 were Asian, 2 were black/African American, effects were dizziness, nausea, and anxiety.
and 1 was multiracial. Many medications share common side effects that can heavily affect a person’s medications. Awareness of side-effects prior to taking medication will also be determined.
lifestyle, however, many patients are not aware of the side effects prior to the start of the medication. 10 ● The most common short-term effect reported was fatigue as well,
people were asked about their age, race, type of medication(s), dosage, duration of medication(s), side followed by nausea and shortness of breath.
effects faced and whether the side effects were short-term or long-term, any stress factors that
● The most common long-term effect reported was anxiety, followed by
contributed to the side effects, and awareness of side effect(s) prior to taking medication(s). All
participants said that fatigue was a side-effect from medication, with other common side effects
including nausea, anxiety, dizziness, and lack of sleep. 80% of participants said stress was a major
Methodology fatigue, memory issues, sleep issues and stomach issues.
● 60% of respondents reported that no awareness of side effects were
contributor to the aggravation of side effects. 66.7% of participants said that side-effects were
experienced 1 week-1 month after start of medication. Overall, even with different durations of given prior to having medications prescribed.
consuming medications and demographics, a common side effect of the medication(s) were fatigue,
followed by nausea and dizziness. It can be concluded that many doctors do not inform about ● A survey was distributed via hospitals, survey distribution websites, and social media networks ● 20% of participants were unsure if proper awareness was given, which
side-effects, as 57.1% of participants said they were not aware of side effects prior to taking the can affect results.
prescribed medication(s). ● The participants were asked the following; STRESS MEDICATIONS
○ Age (must be 18-35) ● On a scale of 1-5, majority of participants responded with a 3 when
○ Type of medication(s) asked how greatly cardiovascular medication(s) affect the lifestyle.
○ Dosage
○ Duration of medication (how long the participants were taking the medication)
ACTIVITY DEMOGRAPHICS
○ Brief description of side-effects faced due to medication
○ Any stress factors that contributed to side effects
○ Awareness of side-effects prior to taking medications

Results
Table 1: List of medication types and amount of respondents who were prescribed specified type. The most common medication Table 2: Age ranges and amount of participants that fall within each category. 4 participants of the survey were between the ages
type prescribed was beta blockers, with 4 respondents taking medications under the beta-blockers category. of 18-24, the most common age group.
Type of Medication Patient(s) Taking Medication Age Range Amount of Participants

Anticoagulants 1

18-24 4
ACE Inhibitors 2

Angiotensin Receptor Inhibitors 1

24-30 3
Beta Blockers 4

Diuretics 2 30-35 3
Figure 1: Total percentages of ethnic minorities by gender exhibiting a heart disease. Age range is adults 20 and up.
Source: American Heart Association, 2020.
Figure 6: Column chart displaying a scale. The scale is a scale from 1-5, representing the severity of the
effects of cardiovascular medication(s) on participants. Majority of the participants answered with a “3”.

Figure 2: Amount of cardiovascular medications in development for each cardiovascular disease/defect out of a total of 200
medicines. Source: MDedge
Conclusion
● Overall, all patients experienced side effects, both long-term and
short-term.
○ Even if the severeness can differ between patients, it can have an
impact on the participants’ lives.
○ For the future, more doctors/prescribers can provide patients
with information on side effects and even provide alternate
treatments if patients are uncomfortable with the side effects
Figure 3: Bar chart displaying all side effects listed in the survey and amount of respondents that experienced certain effects. Figure 4: Pie chart showing participants’ responses to having any awareness of side effects by prescriber prior to taking
medication(s). 60% answered that no awareness was provided, while 20% answered that awareness was provided. 20% answered
mentioned.
Both short and long-term effects are included, with fatigue being most common (9 respondents reported). Following side effects
were dizziness, anxiety, and nausea. that some awareness was provided or were unsure if proper awareness was given. ● Although survey was targeted at a specific age range, demographics
(racial, age) still varied which can impact the severity of side effects,
and moreover, the results for the survey.

Background ○ Further studies can be done to analyze how specific

demographics affect side effects on patients

● Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the United States, with an estimated 62
million people currently diagnosed with a cardiovascular disease
● Common cardiovascular diseases include: coronary heart diseases, strokes, aortic diseases, etc. Selected References
● Common cardiovascular medications include: anticoagulants, beta-blockers, angio-converting
enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, etc.
● Many medication(s), however, cause side-effects that are both short-term and long-term to the body
Huffman, J. C. (2022, April 1). Neuropsychiatric consequences of cardiovascular medications. Taylor & Francis. Retrieved June 18, 2022,
● According to recent studies, it was shown that many medications, such as beta blockers, can cause
from https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.31887/DCNS.2007.9.1/jchuffman
the following; fatigue, dizziness, disorientation, tremors, heightened anxiety, etc.
Kruyer, W. B., & Hickman, J. R. (1990, April). Medication-induced performance decrements: Cardiovascular ... - jstor.org.
● It was also shown in studies that patients have little to no knowledge on the side effects prior to
Medication-Induced Performance Decrements: Cardiovascular Medications. Retrieved June 18, 2022, from
taking the prescribed medication(s) https://www.jstor.org/stable/45006975
● At the University of Wales, a study was done where 152 participants were given a leaflet regarding
Stigant, C. E., Cohen, J., Vivera, M., & Zaltzman, J. S. (2008, February 21). ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II antagonists in renal
the side-effects of their medication(s)
transplantation: An analysis of safety and efficacy. American Journal of Kidney Diseases. Retrieved June 18, 2022, from
● Only 33.3% of patients were able to comprehend the leaflet Figure 5: Bar chart showing short-term effects of cardiovascular medication(s) and amount reported (amount of participants that Figure 6: Bar chart showing long-term effects of cardiovascular medication(s) and amount of respondents that experienced one or https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0272638600703027
● This is a slight improvement, but it is best if doctors inform their patients so it can be ensured the experienced the certain effect[s]). Fatigue was the most common short-term effect with 4 respondents that reported. Nausea and more side effects. Anxiety was the most common long-term effect, with 4 respondents that reported. Fatigue followed, with 3
side effects are comprehended shortness of breath followed, with 2 reported respondents. respondents that reported.