Switch to हिंदी

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Diet | Pregnancy & Parenting | Diseases & Home Remedies | TheHealthSite.com

Health, Fitness, Beauty & Diet | Pregnancy & Parenting | Diseases & Home Remedies | TheHealthSite.com

हिंदी
  • Health A-Z
  • Diabetes
  • Diseases
    • Type 1 Diabetes
    • Type 2 Diabetes
    • Cancer
    • Heart Attack
    • Pneumonia
    • Diseases A-Z
  • Diet & Fitness
    • Weight Management
    • Exercise & Body Building
    • Diet & Recipes
    • Yoga
  • Coronavirus
  • News
  • Pregnancy
    • Conceiving
    • Infertility
    • Labour & Delivery
    • Pregnancy week-by-week
    • Breastfeeding
    • Baby Names
  • Beauty
    • Skin
    • Hair
    • Grooming
  • Photos
  • Videos
Home / Diseases & Conditions / Medicines for heart disease — use, side-effects, interactions and precautions

Medicines for heart disease — use, side-effects, interactions and precautions

If you don't know your heart medication it can lead to serious complications? Learn everything about them to ensure you're taking them the right way

By: Shraddha Rupavate   | | Updated: July 28, 2014 10:46 am
Tags: Calcium channel blockers  Medicines  

Medicines for heart diseaseHeart disease is one of the leading causes of death today. It is a silent disease that usually reveals itself with a medical emergency like heart attack. Although diet and lifestyle modification plays a key role in management of heart disease, medicines for heart disease are important to address the immediate medical needs of the patient. Also Read - Sale of online medicines banned by Madras high court

Also Read - Madras High Court orders to ban online sales of medicines



When are medicines for heart disease prescribed? Also Read - Here are the health risks associated with antibiotics

‘Commonly, drugs for heart disease are prescribed for the treatment of angina, heart failure and abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias),’ says Dr Vineet Sankhla, Consultant Cardiologist, CIMS Hospital, Ahmedabad.

What are the common drugs prescribed for heart disease? How do they work?

There are several forms of heart disease and therefore they require different types and combinations of drugs for treatment.

‘Medicines for angina and heart attack include nitrates, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. The drugs for heart failure are ACE inhibitors and digoxin (Lanoxin). These drugs dilate the arteries increasing the oxygen supply to heart and also decrease the heart rate and force of contraction thereby slowing down the oxygen demand of the heart,’ says Dr Vineet.

  • Nitrates: They work by opening up the blocked arteries thereby increasing the blood flow to the heart. It relieves angina.
  • Beta blockers (ex: Metoprolol): They reduce the heart rate and cardiac output. It helps reduce blood pressure.
  • Calcium channel blockers (ex: Diltiazem, Nifedipine): They are prescribed for chest pain, blood pressure and abnormal heart rhythm. They cause dilation of blood vessels and lower blood pressure by reducing the resistance of the blood vessels.
  • ACE inhibitors (ex: Captopril, Lisinopril): They cause expansion of blood vessels and lowering the levels of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes constriction of blood vessels thereby increasing blood pressure.
  • Anticoagulants: These are blood thinning agents that prevent clotting of blood. Although they do not help in dissolving existing blood clots, they effectively prevent the clots from enlarging.
  • Diuretics: They help to lower blood pressure and reduce swelling caused due to excessive fluid buildup in the body.

What are the side-effects of these medicines?

‘These drugs are usually safe when taken as prescribed by doctor. However, there can be certain side effects like dry cough (ACE Inhibitors), slowing of heart rate (beta blockers) and decrease in BP (nitrates). Consult your doctor if there is intolerance or troublesome side effects to any of the drugs,’ says Dr Vineet. Also, the side-effects will vary from person to person. Here are some common side-effects you should know:

Nitrates: Headache, nausea and dizziness. Contact your doctor if you experience allergic symptoms like skin rash, itching, swelling, dry mouth.

Beta blockers: Diarrhea, stomach cramps, vomiting, headache, confusion, dizziness

Calcium channel blockers: Digestive problems, low BP, nausea, headache, drowsiness

ACE inhibitors: These drugs show less number of side-effects. Dizziness, cold sweat, low BP, drowsiness

What precautions should a person take while on medication?

Dr Vineet explains some precautionary measures while taking medicines for heart disease.

  • Take the drugs as prescribed by your doctor only.
  • Avoid taking the drugs on empty stomach or while standing.
  • Certain medicines have drug and food interactions which could lead to increased or decreased efficacy of the treatment.
  • Inform your doctor if you are pregnant as certain drugs are contraindicated in pregnancy.

Apart from the above listed things you should also remember the following points:

  • Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor. If you experience any undesirable side-effects, speak to your doctor about reconsideration of the drug.
  • Do not take over-the-counter pills like pain killers along with heart medication. If you need to take a painkiller, consult your doctor because certain drug interactions can reduce the efficacy of your heart medicine.
  • In case you forget to take your dose of drugs, take it when you remember. But if you forget it for a long time and it’s already time for the next dose then it’s better to consult the doctor once. Keep a reminder in case you’re forgetful.

You may also like to read:

  • 10 foods that can boost your heart health quotient (gallery)
  • Natural remedies for heart disease (Gallery)
  • Gallery: Ten tips for a healthier heart
  • 6 heart health myths busted!
  • 10 secrets to great heart health

For more articles on heart disease, check out our heart disease section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.

Published : June 9, 2014 4:42 pm | Updated:July 28, 2014 10:46 am
Read Disclaimer

IGRA, the new tuberculosis diagnostic tool - pros and cons

IGRA, the new tuberculosis diagnostic tool - pros and cons

How SMS can help you quit smoking

How SMS can help you quit smoking

Please Wait. Article Loading ....

Coronavirus Updates

Coronavirus Updates

Stay Informed, Be Safe

  • Covid-19 pandemic making people with anxiety and depression to drink more
  • 'Game changer against Covid-19': Expert panel recommends phase 1 trial of Bharat Biotech's nasal vaccine
  • Genome sequencing of sewage water can help discover new coronavirus variants: US scientists
  • Covid-19 vaccination: Concerns about adverse effects ‘unfounded, negligible’, says Govt
  • Beware! Coronavirus can damage your brain in many ways. Here’s what to know

Health Calculators

BMI Calculator
bmi Calculator
Ideal Body Weight
ideal body weight
Daily Calorie Intake
Daily calorie intake
Calories Burned
calories burned

Related Stories

Side effects of OTC medicines: Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver failure

Side effects of OTC medicines: Paracetamol overdose can lead to liver failure

Kids who take steroids at increased risk for diabetes: Know the other side effects of this medication

Kids who take steroids at increased risk for diabetes: Know the other side effects of this medication

Ayurvedic treatment for stomach ache: How to make asafoetida decoction at home

Ayurvedic treatment for stomach ache: How to make asafoetida decoction at home

Ayurveda, yoga may be crucial in fight against COVID-19, say MIT, Harvard scientists

Ayurveda, yoga may be crucial in fight against COVID-19, say MIT, Harvard scientists

5 unsaid truths about contraceptive pills that you should be aware of

5 unsaid truths about contraceptive pills that you should be aware of

Health News in Hindi

प्रधानमंत्री नरेंद्र मोदी लगवाएंगे दूसरे चरण में कोरोना वैक्सीन, बाकी नेताओं को भी लगेगा टीका

Covid-19 Vaccine: कोविड का टीका लेने वाले लोगों को कुछ दिनों तक बरतनी होगी खास सावधानी, वैक्सीनेशन के बाद ना करें ये ग़लतियां

Telangana News: कोविशील्‍ड वैक्‍सीन लेने के अगले दिन हुई हेल्‍थ वर्कर की मौत, पोस्टमार्टम रिपोर्ट आना बाकी

वैक्‍सीन लेने के कितने दिन तक शरीर में एंटीबॉडी बने रहेंगे? जानिए क्‍या कहते हैं डॉक्‍टर

Cowin App For Vaccine Registration: को-विन एप हुआ अपडेट, टीकाकरण में आएगी तेजी

Read All

Recent Posts

  • Is hemp seed oil good for your skin? 5 amazing beauty benefits you should know
  • Beware! Coronavirus can damage your brain in many ways. Here’s what to know
  • Replace sugar with jaggery to reduce fine lines, wrinkles and age spots
  • Obesity may up mental health issues in teens: Easy food swaps that can help you lose weight
  • Covid-19 pandemic making people with anxiety and depression to drink more

About The health Site

TheHealthSite.com is India's largest health site with more than 40 lakh unique visitors per month. We focus on fitness, beauty, health, pregnancy and more.

Most popular health and wellness website in India in 2012 at the Website of the year awards.

health@corp.india.com
+91 – 22 – 6697 1234
Landline Phone number 91 – 22 – 2490 0302.

ZEE ENTERTAINMENT ENTERPRISES LTD, 18th floor, A-Wing, Marathon Futurex, N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400013.

Useful Links

  • Weight Loss
  • Keto Diet Tips
  • Skin Care Tips
  • Intermittent Fasting
  • Apple Cider Vinegar
  • Ashwagandha
  • Cancer
  • Pneumonia
  • Diarrhoea
  • Dengue
  • Typhoid
  • Tuberculosis
  • Chickenpox
  • Chikungunya
  • Depression
  • Hepatitis
  • Diabetes
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Arthritis
  • Swine Flu
  • Baby Names
  • Cough and cold
  • Heart Attack
  • Breast Cancer
  • Ebola Virus
  • Dengue
  • Malaria
  • International Yoga Day
  • Hypotension
  • Heart Failure
  • Asthma
  • Brain Tumour
  • Celebrity Fitness
  • Goitre
  • HIV/AIDS

We respect your privacy

  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Author Profiles

Copyright © 2021 Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved.