Your doctor may give you a cholesterol-lowering statin if you have high levels of total cholesterol or of LDL cholesterol (the “bad cholesterol”) that cannot be lowered with a program of diet and exercise. You may also need to take this type of medicine if you have a medical condition that causes you to have […]
Nitrates are a vasodilator. Vasodilators widen (dilate) the blood vessels, improving blood flow and allowing more oxygen-rich blood to reach the heart muscle. Why do I need to take nitrates? Nitrates are used to treat the chest pain associated with angina and to ease the symptoms of congestive heart failure (CHF). How do nitrates work? Nitrates are a vasodilator. Vasodilators […]
Positive inotropes strengthen the force of the heartbeat. Negative inotropes weaken the force of the heartbeat. What are inotropes? Inotropic agents, or inotropes, are medicines that change the force of your heart’s contractions. There are 2 kinds of inotropes: positive inotropes and negative inotropes. Positive inotropes strengthen the force of the heartbeat. Negative inotropes weaken the force of the heartbeat. Why do I […]
Thiazides, potassium-sparing, loop-acting Why do I need to take a diuretic? Diuretics are sometimes called “water pills.” They are used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF), high blood pressure (hypertension), or edema (water retention). Diuretics are also prescribed for certain kinds of kidney or liver diseases. How do diuretics work? There are 3 types of diuretic medicines. […]
Digitalis is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart rhythm problems (atrial arrhythmias). Digitalis can increase blood flow throughout your body and reduce swelling in your hands and ankles. Why do I need to take digitalis? Digitalis is used to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and heart rhythm problems (atrial arrhythmias). Digitalis […]
Calcium channel blockers are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). Why do I need to take a calcium channel blocker? Calcium channel blockers are used to control high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). How do calcium channel blockers work? Calcium channel blockers […]
Blood thinners reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, and blockages in your arteries and veins by preventing clumps of blood (blood clots) from forming or growing. Blood thinners reduce your risk for heart attack, stroke, and blockages in your arteries and veins by preventing clumps of blood (blood clots) from forming or growing. There […]
Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure (CHF), abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), and chest pain (angina). Beta-blockers are sometimes used in heart attack patients to prevent future heart attacks. Why do I need to take a beta-blocker? Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), congestive heart failure (CHF),abnormal […]
Aspirin is used to reduce pain, inflammation (swelling), and fever. Doctors may also give their patients aspirin to treat or prevent angina, heart attacks, transient ischemic attacks (also called TIAs or “mini-strokes”), and stroke. What is aspirin? Aspirin is a type of medicine called a salicylate. Aspirin is used to reduce pain, inflammation (swelling), and […]
Antiplatelets are a group of medicines that stop blood cells (called platelets) from sticking together and forming a blood clot. Antiplatelet medicines can stop blood clots from forming. What is antiplatelet therapy? Antiplatelets are a group of medicines that stop blood cells (called platelets) from sticking together and forming a blood clot. Whenever there is […]