Heart Diesease and Medication
Sometimes, medications may be needed to help prevent or control
coronary heart disease (CHD) and so reduce the risk of a first or
repeat heart attack. But, if medications are needed, lifestyle changes
still must be undertaken.
If prescribed, take medications as directed by your health care provider.
Drugs used to treat CHD include:
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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. (More on aspirin and heart attack)
Because
of its risks, aspirin is not approved by the Food and Drug
Administration for preventing heart attacks in healthy individuals. It
may be harmful for some persons, especially those with no risk of heart
disease. Patients must be assessed carefully to make sure the benefits
of taking aspirin outweigh the risks. Talk to your doctor about whether
taking aspirin is right for you. (For details on the use of aspirin to prevent heart attacks, please visit the FDA Web site.)
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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.
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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.
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Beta blocker
slows the heart and makes it beat with less contracting force, so
blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. It is used for high
blood pressure, chest pain, and to prevent a repeat heart attack.
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Nitrates (including nitroglycerine) relaxes blood vessels and stops chest pain.
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Calcium channel blocker relaxes blood vessels and is used for high blood pressure and chest pain.
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Diuretic decreases fluid in the body and is used for high blood pressure. Diuretics are sometimes referred to as "water pills."
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Blood cholesterol-lowering agents decrease LDL cholesterol levels in the blood.
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Thrombolytic agentsalso
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. (More on these and heart attack)
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Drugs can cause side effects. If side effects occur, report them to
your doctor. Often, a change in the dose or type of a medication, or
the use of a combination of drugs can stop the side effect.
To learn more about medications for CHD and its risk factors:
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