Beneficial Extracardiac Effects of Cardiovascular Medications

Cardiovascular diseases are the most common cause of death worldwide, with cardiovascularmedications being amongst the most common medications prescribed. These medicationshave diverse effects on the heart, vascular system, as well as other tissues and organ systems. Theextra cardiovascular effects have been found to be of use in the treatment of non-cardiovascular diseasesand pathologies. Minoxidil is used to manage systemic hypertension with its well-knownside effect of hirsutism used to treat alopecia and baldness. Sildenafil was originally investigated asa treatment option for systemic hypertension; however, its side effect of penile erection led to itbeing widely used for erectile dysfunction. Alpha-1 blockers such as terazosin are indicated to treatsystemic hypertension but are more commonly used for benign prostatic hyperplasia and post-traumaticstress disorder. Beta blockers are the mainstay treatment for congestive heart failure and systemichypertension but have been found useful to help in patients with intention tremors as well asprophylaxis of migraines. Similarly, calcium channel blockers are indicated in medical expulsiontherapy for ureteric calculi in addition to their cardiovascular indications. Thiazides are commonlyused for treating systemic hypertension and as diuretics. Thiazides can cause hypocalciuria and hypercalcemia.This side effect has led to thiazides being used to treat idiopathic hypercalciuria andassociated nephrolithiasis. Spironolactone is commonly utilized in treating heart failure and as a diureticfor edema. Its well described anti-androgen side effects have been used for acne vulgarisand hirsutism in polycystic ovarian syndrome. This review article discusses how the various extracardiovasculareffects of commonly used cardiovascular medications are put to use in managingnon-cardiovascular conditions.