Medications
Patients with heart disease often need to take several medications. These medications are important because they may not only make you feel better, but also may prolong your life span. It is important to know what you're taking as well as why you are taking it.
Aspirin
Aspirin has a significant protective effect in patients with known coronary heart disease and may have a protective effect to prevent a first heart attack.
ACE Inhibitors
What they do:
These medicines dilate the blood vessels. By doing this these ACE Inhibitors increase blood flow and decrease the workload on the heart. It can also reduce the amount of a substance in your body which may worsen heart failure.
Benefits:
- Improve symptoms
- Possibly lengthen the life span of a patient with certain heart diseases
- Possibly decrease the number of hospitalization
Possible side effects:
- Dizziness
- Swelling of face or tongue
- Coughs
- Increase the amount of Potassium in your body
Diuretics
What they do:
So called "water pills", these are used to help your body get rid of excess fluid which can contribute to heart failure.
Some diuretics cause you to excrete Potassium. You may need to increase the amount of Potassium you take in (discuss this with your doctor).
Benefits:
- Improve symptoms of heart failure
- Decrease swelling
Possible side effects:
- Increased urination
- Dizziness, especially upon standing
- Loss of Potassium
- Skin rash
Digoxin/Digitalis
What it does:
It helps the heart pump stronger, and can help control the heart beat.
Benefits:
- Digoxin can help you feel better, and can decrease the number of hospitalizations you have for heart failure.
Possible side effects:
- Nausea
- Fatigue
- Blurred vision or halo vision (yellow, green or white)
If any of these side effects occur, call your physician immediately.
Beta Blockers
What it does:
This is a fairly new medication which keeps the heart from pumping too hard, and it can help block certain substances in your body which can be harmful to the heart.
Benefits:
- This type of medication can help strengthen your heart and help you feel better. It can also help decrease the number of hospitalizations you have for heart failure.
Possible side effects:
When you first start this medication you may not feel better immediately. You may actually feel worse for a few weeks. If this happens, notify your doctor; your mediations may need to be adjusted.
Also watch for:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Swelling of the feet
- Slow heart beat
Note:
Always keep an up-to-date list of your medications on hand. Bring your medication list to all your doctor visits.
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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
This site provides materials for information and education only. It is not to be considered medical advice. LVCA encourages you to see your physician for any of the health issues discussed here. The field of medicine changes on a regular basis, therefore we do not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided on this site, nor do we guarantee that the information represents the most currently accepted standards.
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