Most people with heart failure will be prescribed one or more medications. Medications for heart failure can relieve symptoms, slow the progression of the disease, prevent the patient from having to go into hospital, and prolong life.
Some medications used to treat heart failure are also used to treat other medical conditions. Medications can be prescribed depending on what is causing heart failure, and if the person has any other medical conditions. It is always important to take medication exactly as the physician tells you to.
The main medications used to treat heart failure are listed below.
Diuretics (often called “water pills”) are drugs that help the body get rid of excess fluid. This is useful in people with fluid buildup in the lungs (pulmonary congestion) and swelling in the legs, ankles, and feet. Diuretics are also used to treat high blood pressure. Types of diuretic include “loop”, “thiazide”, and “potassium-sparing” drugs. Diuretics are usually taken as a tablet but are also given intravenously in people admitted to hospital with acute heart failure.
Examples include: furosemide, torasemide, chlorothiazide, hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone, indapamide, metolazone, amiloride, spironolactone
ACE inhibitors are drugs with many beneficial effects for heart failure patients. They widen the blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, help to prevent further damage to the heart, and can prevent the need for hospitalization, and prolong life. ACE inhibitors are also used to treat people with high blood pressure and to reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Examples include: captopril, enalapril, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril, trandolapril
ARBs are a new type of drug used to treat heart failure and hypertension. They have a similar effect as ACE inhibitors but cause fewer side effects. They are often used as an alternative to ACE inhibitors.
Examples include: candesartan, losartan, valsartan
Beta-blockers have several beneficial effects. They slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure, help prevent further damage to the heart, improve general well being, and lower the risk of hospital admission, and prolong life. Beta-blockers are also used to treat people with ischemic heart disease and people with high blood pressure.
Examples include: metoprolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol
This is used to treat people with advanced heart failure. Aldosterone antagonists help limit damage to the heart, relieve symptoms, and reduce the likelihood of hospital admission and death.
Examples include: spironolactone, eplerenone
Digoxin (digitalis) is a drug that causes the heart to beat more strongly, thereby reducing the symptoms of heart failure.
Additional information
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