Heart Disease And Medications
Sometimes, medications may be needed to help prevent or control heart disease and so reduce the risk of a first or repeat heart attack. Medications must accompany lifestyle changes as advised by your GP or Cardiologist. If prescribed, take medications as directed by your GP or pharmacist.
Drugs frequently used treat common heart and circulatory conditions include:
- Aspirin – Aspirin helps to lower the risk of a heart attack for those who have already had one. It also helps to keep arteries open in those who have had a previous heart bypass or other artery-opening procedure such as coronary angioplasty.
- Digitalis – makes the heart contract harder and is used when the heart's pumping function has been weakened; it also slows some fast heart rhythms.
- ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor – stops the production of a chemical that makes blood vessels narrow and is used to help control high blood pressure and for damaged heart muscle. It may be prescribed after a heart attack to help the heart pump blood better. It is also used for persons with heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body's needs.
- Beta blockers – they slow the heart and make it beat with less contracting force, so blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. They are used for high blood pressure, chest pain, and to prevent a repeat heart attack.
- Nitrates (including nitroglycerine) – relaxes blood vessels and stops chest pain.
- Calcium channel blockers – relax blood vessels and are used for high blood pressure and chest pain.
- Diuretic – decreases fluid in the body and are used for high blood pressure. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as "water pills."
- Blood cholesterol - lowering agents – decrease LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
- Thrombolytic agents – also called "clot busting drugs," they are given during a heart attack to break up a blood clot in a coronary artery in order to restore blood flow
Useful Guide
