Use this guide to understand your prescriptions
People with heart disease may be prescribed medication to help lower cholesterol, reduce blood pressure, and prevent heart attacks. Your doctor will choose the best medications for you based on different factors, including underlying medical conditions.
It’s important to take prescription medicines as directed by your doctor or pharmacist, even if you start to feel better. Always talk to your doctor about any side effects that you experience, particularly if you have recently had any changes to your treatment. Your dosage may need to change.
These are some of the most common heart medications that your doctor might prescribe.
Statins are commonly referred to as cholesterol medication. They block the production of cholesterol. They are mostly prescribed for people with heart disease or who are at risk of developing heart disease.
Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, treat or prevent blood clots. They are usually given to people with a heart rhythm issue called atrial fibrillation (or AFib), blood clots in the lungs, or blood clots in the legs.
Beta-blockers help block a chemical in your blood in order to slow your heart rate and lower your blood pressure. They are often prescribed for people with heart failure, abnormally fast heart rates, or high blood pressure.
ACE inhibitors or angio receptor blockers (ARBs) are common medications that block a chemical in your blood in order to lower your blood pressure. They are often used in people with heart failure, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Calcium channel blockers help to relax blood vessels to let blood flow through them more freely. They are used to help control high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, and chest pain (angina).
Nitrates open or dilate blood vessels. They are typically prescribed to people who have chest pain and high blood pressure.
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