Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

Which of the following diuretics is commonly prescribed for heart failure?

1. Spironolactone

2. Amlodipine

3. Diltiazem

4. Lisinopril

The correct answer is: Spironolactone

Spironolactone is commonly prescribed for heart failure primarily because it is a potassium-sparing diuretic that helps to reduce fluid overload while minimizing potassium loss, which can be particularly beneficial in patients with heart failure. It acts by antagonizing aldosterone, a hormone that promotes sodium and water retention; thus, spironolactone aids in reducing blood volume and lowering blood pressure, which can alleviate the symptoms of heart failure such as edema and pulmonary congestion. Additionally, spironolactone has been shown to improve survival in heart failure patients, especially those with reduced ejection fraction, by preventing the adverse effects of aldosterone on the cardiovascular system. This makes it an integral part of heart failure management guidelines. The other medications listed, while important in cardiovascular medicine, serve different primary roles. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker used mainly for hypertension and angina, Diltiazem also serves as a calcium channel blocker primarily for heart rate control and angina, and Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that is beneficial in heart failure but primarily functions to reduce afterload and improve survival as well, rather than acting as a diuretic. This distinction emphasizes why spironolactone is favored for diuretic