Under Construction 
Common Classes of Heart Medications:
- ACE INHIBITORS (Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme) - Block the production of a hormone called angiotensin II, which causes arteries to constrict.
Brand names: Prinivil, Accupril, Monopril, Capoten, Vasotec, Aceon, Altace, Mavik, Zestril
- BETA BLOCKERS (Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents) - By slowing the heart rate and decreasing the strength of heart-muscle contractions, these drugs minimize how hard your heart works.
Another use is to prevent ventricular arrhythmia.
Brand names: Toprol-XL, Coreg CR, Zebeta, and others
- DIURETICS (also known as water pills) - Diuretics help to ease the heart’s workload by reducing fluid and sodium buildup in the lungs and other parts of the body. In turn, there is less pressure on the walls of your arteries.
Brand names: Lasix, Bumex, Demadex, Diuril, Midamor, Chlorthalidone, Esidrix, Hydrodiuril, Lozol, Zaroxolyn, Dyrenium.
- CALCIUM CHANNEL BLOCKERS - As the name implies, these medications prevent calcium from getting into cells of the heart and blood vessel walls. They also relax and widen blood vessels so that the heart is able to pump more easily. They’re prescribed to control irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) and relieve angina (chest pain).
Brand names: Norvasc, Cardizem, Tiazac, Cardene SR, Procardia, Sular, Calan, Verelan, Covera-HS, and others.
- ANTICOAGULANTS (blood thinners) - Blood thinners are used to treat and prevent the formation of blood clots. They block vitamin K, a nutrient that the liver uses to produce clotting proteins.
Brand Names: Coumadin (Warfarin), Eliquis, Xarelto, Savaysa, Pradaxa
See Blood Thinners
- ANTIPLATELETS & ASPIRIN - These drugs work by interfering with normal platelet functions, chiefly stopping prostaglandins, which are naturally occurring substances that help blood platelets clump together.
Brand names: Bayer, Bufferin, Anacin, Plavix
See Blood Thinners
- STATINS (Cholesterol lowering drugs) - These drugs have been shown to lower LDL (often referred to as “bad”) cholesterol by 20 to 50%. They prompt the liver to remove more cholesterol from the blood than it does naturally.
Brand Names: Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor
- VASODILATORS (also known as nitrates) - These drugs work directly on the muscles in the walls of arteries to dilate blood vessels so blood flows more easily and your heart doesn’t have to work as hard. They are most often prescribed after heart failure to improve symptoms and prolong your survival.
Brand names: Nitroglycerin, Apresoline, minoxidil, Isordil, Natrecor
Source: The Top 8 Heart Meds: Risks Vs. Benefits - MedShadow
Links:
Blood Thinners
Return to health
last updated 10 July 2017
|
Health