Prescribing Safety Assessment (PSA) Practice Exam

When a patient has stable angina, which of the following is recommended for primary cardiovascular protection?

1. ACE Inhibitors

2. Statins

3. Beta Blockers

4. Calcium Channel Blockers

The correct answer is: Statins

In the context of stable angina, the use of statins is a key recommendation for primary cardiovascular protection. Statins are effective in lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, which is particularly important for patients with stable angina who are at increased risk for such complications. The role of statins extends beyond cholesterol management; they also possess anti-inflammatory properties and contribute to stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques, further reducing the likelihood of adverse cardiovascular events. Given their proven benefits in primary prevention and in patients with existing cardiovascular disease, statins are the first-line agents recommended for patients with stable angina. While ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers are also important therapeutic options in the management of angina, their primary functions differ. ACE inhibitors are more commonly indicated in patients with heart failure or for renal protection in diabetic patients. Beta blockers primarily help in reducing myocardial oxygen demand and control symptoms of angina but do not specifically target cardiovascular event risk reduction in a primary preventive manner. Calcium channel blockers may assist in symptom relief but are not a mainstay for primary cardiovascular event prevention in stable angina. Hence, the recommendation for statins