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

Heart 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

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‘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.

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

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