Heart failure patients need multiple medications. Each one treats a different symptom or contributing factor. Each medication comes with its own instructions and rules. They can't do their job if you don't take them correctly. You and your caregivers should work with your healthcare team to understand the medications and how they should be taken; when, how often and in what amounts. It's important to discuss all of the drugs you take with your doctor and understand their desired effects and possible side effects. Remember that your healthcare provider and pharmacist are your best sources of information. Don't hesitate to ask them questions about your medicines.
The following chart gives you a quick "at-a-glance" look at many typical cardiac medications. Your prescription may have a different name from the ones listed on this chart. Brand names commonly available in the U.S. are shown in parentheses after the generic name for each drug.
*Some of the major types of commonly prescribed cardiovascular medications are summarized in this section. For your information and reference, we have included generic names as well as major trade names to help you identify what you may be taking; however, the AHA is not recommending or endorsing any specific products. If your prescription medication isn't on this list, remember that your healthcare provider and pharmacist are your best sources of information. It's important to discuss all of the drugs you take with your doctor and understand their desired effects and possible side effects. Never stop taking a medication and never change your dose or frequency without first consulting your doctor.
*Some cholesterol-lowering medications may interact with grapefruit, grapefruit juice, pomegranate and pomegranate juice. Please talk to your health care provider about any potential risks.
Use these handy "At-A-Glance" charts to gain a quick understanding of these common cardiac medications you may be prescribed. If you need more help understanding what medication you're taking and why you're taking it, print this chart out and take it to your doctor.
Anticoagulants
(Also known as Blood Thinners.)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Dalteparin (Fragmin), Danaparoid (Orgaran)
- Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- Heparin (various)
- Tinzaparin (Innohep)
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
What the Medication Does
Decreases the clotting (coagulating) ability of the blood. Sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They do NOT dissolve existing blood clots. Used to treat certain blood vessel, heart and lung conditions.
Reason for Medication
- Helps to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.
- May prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.
- Often prescribed to prevent first or recurrent stroke.
See an illustration of Anticoagulants.
(Also known as Blood Thinners.)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Dalteparin (Fragmin), Danaparoid (Orgaran)
- Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
- Heparin (various)
- Tinzaparin (Innohep)
- Warfarin (Coumadin)
What the Medication Does
Decreases the clotting (coagulating) ability of the blood. Sometimes called blood thinners, although they do not actually thin the blood. They do NOT dissolve existing blood clots. Used to treat certain blood vessel, heart and lung conditions.
Reason for Medication
- Helps to prevent harmful clots from forming in the blood vessels.
- May prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.
- Often prescribed to prevent first or recurrent stroke.
See an illustration of Anticoagulants.
Antiplatelet Agents
Commonly prescribed include:
- Aspirin
- Ticlopidine
- Clopidogrel
- Dipyridamole
What the Medication Does
Keeps blood clots from forming by preventing blood platelets from sticking together.
Reason for Medication
- Helps prevent clotting in patients who have had a heart attack, unstable angina, ischemic strokes, TIA (transient ischemic attacks, or "little strokes") and other forms of cardiovascular disease.
- Usually prescribed preventively when plaque buildup is evident but there is not yet a large obstruction in the artery.
See an illustration of Antiplatelet Agents.
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Commonly prescribed include:
- Benazepril (Lotensin)
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Moexipril (Univasc)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
What the Medication Does
Expands blood vessels and decreases resistance by lowering levels of angiotensin II. Allows blood to flow more easily and makes the heart's work easier or more efficient.
Reason for Medication
- Used to treat or improve symptoms of cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure and heart failure.
See an illustration of ACE Inhibitors.
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (or Inhibitors)
(Also known as ARBs, Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists and AT-2)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Candesartan (Atacand)
- Eprosartan (Teveten)
- Irbesartan (Avapro)
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Telmisartan (Micardis) and Valsartan (Diovan)
What the Medication Does
Rather than lowering levels of angiotensin II (as ACE inhibitors do) angiotensin II receptor blockers prevent this chemical from having any effects on the heart and blood vessels. This keeps blood pressure from rising.
Reason for Medication
- Used to treat or improve symptoms of cardiovascular conditions including high blood pressure and heart failure.
See an illustration of ARBs.
Beta Blockers
(Also known as Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Acebutolol (Sectral)
- Atenolol (Tenormin)
- Betaxolol (Kerlone)
- Bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
- Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- Carteolol (Cartrol)
- Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
- Nadolol (Corgard)
- Propranolol (Inderal)
- Sotalol (Betapace)
- Timolol (Blocadren)
What the Medication Does
Decreases the heart rate and cardiac output, which lowers blood pressure and makes the heart beat more slowly and with less force.
Reason for Medication
- Used to lower blood pressure.
- Used with therapy for cardiac arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms) and in treating chest pain (angina).
- Used to prevent future heart attacks in patients who have had a heart attack.
See an illustration of Beta Blockers.
Calcium Channel Blockers
(Also known as Calcium Antagonists or Calcium Blockers)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Amlodipine (Norvasc, Lotrel)
- Bepridil (Vascor)
- Diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
- Felodipine (Plendil)
- Nifedipine (Adalat, Procardia)
- Nimodipine (Nimotop)
- Nisoldipine (Sular)
- Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan)
What the Medication Does
Interrupts the movement of calcium into the cells of the heart and blood vessels. May decrease the heart's pumping strength and relax blood vessels.
Reason for Medication
- Used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain (angina) caused by reduced blood supply to the heart muscle and some arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythms).
See an illustration of Calcium Channel Blockers.
Diuretics
(Also known as Water Pills)
- Amiloride (Midamor)
- Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
- Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Hydro-chlorothiazide (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril)
- Indapamide (Lozol) and Spironolactone (Aldactone)
What the Medication Does
Causes the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination. Helps to relieve the heart's workload. Also decreases the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs. Different diuretics remove fluid at varied rates and through different methods.
Reason for Medication
- Used to help lower blood pressure.
- Used to help reduce swelling (edema) from excess buildup of fluid in the body.
See an illustration of Diuretics.
Vasodilators
(Also known as Nitrates. Nitroglycerin tablets are a form of vasodilator.)
- Isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil)
- Nesiritide (Natrecor)
- Hydralazine (Apresoline)
- Nitrates
- Minoxidil
What the Medication Does
Relaxes blood vessels and increases the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart while reducing its workload. Can come in pills to be swallowed, chewable tablets and as a topical application (cream).
Reason for Medication
- Used to ease chest pain (angina).
Digitalis Preparations
(Also known as Digoxin and Digitoxin)
- Lanoxin
What the Medication Does
Increases the force of the heart's contractions, which can be beneficial in heart failure and for irregular heart beats.
Reason for Medication
- Used to relieve heart failure symptoms, especially when the patient isn't responding to ACE inhibitors and diuretics.
- Also slows certain types of irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias), particularly atrial fibrillation.
Statins
Common types of cholesterol-lowering drugs include:
- statins
- resins
- nicotinic acid (niacin)
- gemfibrozil
- clofibrate
What the Medication Does
Various medications can lower blood cholesterol levels. They may be prescribed individually or in combination with other drugs. They work in the body in different ways. Some affect the liver, some work in the intestines and some interrupt the formation of cholesterol from circulating in the blood.
Reason for Medication
- Used to lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol, raise HDL ("good") cholesterol and lower triglyceride levels.
See an illustration of Statins.
Tools For Patients
Keeping Track / Developing a System
Keeping track of your prescribed medications can be challenging — especially if you're taking several different medicines. Writing things down will make managing your medications a lot easier. Use our printable medicine tracker to stay organized.
Lowering High Blood Pressure
By treating high blood pressure, you can help prevent a stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. Our printable blood pressure tracker will help you monitor your blood pressure and record suggestions from your doctor.
Managing Cholesterol Levels
This printable chart will track your cholesterol at each of your medical appointments, along with the efforts you're making to manage your levels, to help you monitor your success.
Manage Everything Online
Heart360 is a one-stop, easy-to-use set of online tracking tools for medications, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, weight and physical activity. Set goals and track your progress each time you enter your levels. Print comprehensive reports to share with your healthcare team. And manage accounts for your loved ones as well as yourself.
Keeping Track / Developing a System
Keeping track of your prescribed medications can be challenging — especially if you're taking several different medicines. Writing things down will make managing your medications a lot easier. Use our printable medicine tracker to stay organized.
Lowering High Blood Pressure
By treating high blood pressure, you can help prevent a stroke, heart attack, heart failure or kidney failure. Our printable blood pressure tracker will help you monitor your blood pressure and record suggestions from your doctor.
Managing Cholesterol Levels
This printable chart will track your cholesterol at each of your medical appointments, along with the efforts you're making to manage your levels, to help you monitor your success.
Manage Everything Online
Heart360 is a one-stop, easy-to-use set of online tracking tools for medications, blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, weight and physical activity. Set goals and track your progress each time you enter your levels. Print comprehensive reports to share with your healthcare team. And manage accounts for your loved ones as well as yourself.
What is Compliance?
Compliance simply means that you follow the recommendations made by your team of healthcare professionals. These recommendations often include taking medications as well as making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking, eating right and getting the right kind of physical activity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can give you the edge in the fight against heart disease and stroke. Follow your doctor's advice carefully, and if you don't understand something, ask questions. Let your doctor be your coach. It's your health. It's your heart.
Are you a "Good Dog" or "Bad Dog" when it comes to your medication? Take our "Good Dog, Bad Dog Compliance Quiz" and find out how well you follow your healthcare professional's recommendations.
Quick Tips for Compliance
Taking medicine may be new to you, and there may be a lot to remember. For example, why are you taking it? What time should you take it? How often do you take it and how many pills do you take? It's important to take medicine the right way — just as prescribed.
If you don't take medicine as directed, what could happen? First of all, it may not work. It could also cause side effects that may be mild — or very harmful. Without knowing it, you could counteract one medicine by taking it with another. Medicine can also make you feel sick or dizzy.
How can I remember to take my medicine?
- Take it at the same time every day.
- Take it along with other daily events, like brushing your teeth.
- Use special pill boxes that help you keep track, like the ones divided into sections for each day of the week (which can be found at a drugstore).
- Ask people close to you to help remind you.
- Keep a "medicine calendar" near your medicine and make a note every time you take your dose.
- Put a sticker or reminder note on your medicine cabinet or refrigerator. You can buy a small magnetized white board with dry-erase markers and list your pills on the board. Each day, mark the board when you take your medication. It's an easy way to keep track, and at the end of the day, just erase the board and start over again in the morning.
Quick Tips for Medication Use
- Understand your medication. Know what it's for, and how and when you're supposed to take it.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether to take your medicine with food or on an empty stomach.
- Make an instruction sheet for yourself by taping a sample of each pill you take on a sheet of paper and writing down all the information about each pill to remind you.
- Get some colored labels and stick them on your medicine bottles to simplify your routine. For example, blue can be for morning, red for afternoon and yellow for bedtime.
- Ask your pharmacist to help you come up with a coding system for your medications that makes them easier to take.
- Purchase timer caps for pill bottles to remind you when to take medication.
Also,
- You can buy many types of pill containers. Some even beep when it's time to take medication. Ask your pharmacist about these aids.
- If your medication routine is too complicated, ask your physician or pharmacist to help you simplify the process, such as reducing the number of daily doses that you need.
- If your medications are too expensive, ask your physician or pharmacist about finding financial assistance.
- If you're away from home a lot, make sure you carry enough of your medication with you to take the prescribed doses while you're out. Some pharmacists will prepare blister paks for daily or weekly medications. Ask your pharmacist about this.
- If you're using a commercial pill dispenser, set a regular time each week to refill it; for example, every Friday night after you eat.
- If you have trouble understanding your physician or pharmacist, ask a friend or loved one to go with you and help you.
- If you don't feel like your medication is making a difference, talk to your physician and ask why.
- Do not stop any medications without talking to your physician or healthcare provider.
Quick Tips for Lifestyle Changes
- Ask your physician or healthcare professional to help you with nutrition and physical activity advice that is right for you.
- Learn to read food labels so you'll be able to limit the satuated fat, trans fats, cholesterol, added sugar and sodium in your diet.
- Eat fruits, vegetables, fat-free and low-fat dairy, and whole-grain, high-fiber foods most often. Eat fish twice a week.
- Keep a diary or record of all your nutrition and physical activity efforts. When you see your successes written down, it will encourage you to continue your good habits.
- Ask your physician if you should have a home blood pressure monitoring kit to see if your medicine is working.
- If you're monitoring your blood pressure at home, ask when you can expect to see the results from your medicine.
- If you don't feel like you're making progress, talk to your physician and ask why your progress is slow.
- If you're having trouble giving up smoking, ask your physician if you can take a smoking cessation drug to help.
- Become an active participant in making treatment decisions. Overcome barriers that keep you from following your doctor's orders.
Medication Safety Tips
- Store your medicine the way your doctor or pharmacist tells you. ALWAYS keep it away from heat, light and moisture.
- Never store medications in the bathroom. There's too much moisture there.
- Don't carry medicines next to your body. That can raise the temperature and cause some medications to break down.
- Keep track of what pills you can and can't take together, including over-the-counter medicines.
- Always get your prescription filled on time so you don't run out. Missing even one day can make a difference in the effectiveness of many medications.
- Don't stop taking a prescribed medication because your symptoms have gone away.
- Use one pharmacy for all your medicines. This will help ensure that you don't take conflicting medications.
- Try to see the same pharmacist each time.
- If you have any questions about your pills, make a note to remind yourself to ask your doctor or pharmacist.
- Tell your doctor if you have any side effects.
- Don't take more of your medicine than the prescribed dose.
- Ask your doctor or pharmacist before buying a new over-the-counter medicine, such as an antihistamine or "cold tablets," to be sure they won't interfere with your prescribed medicine.
- Always check with your doctor before you stop taking a medicine.
- Make sure that ALL of your doctors know ALL of the medicines you're taking — both prescription and over-the-counter drugs.
- Be sure to tell your doctor or pharmacist of any herbal preparations you're taking. Some herbals can interact with prescribed medications and cause them to be less effective.
- Know the names and doses of the medicines you're taking.
- Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
- ALWAYS let your physician know about any side effects you experience.
- If you have a chronic condition, talk to your physician to determine whether your condition limits your ability to do regular physical activity in any way. Such a conversation should also help you learn about appropriate types and amounts of physical activity.
- Throw away any medicines that aren't currently prescribed to you.
- Don't share your medications with anyone else. What's right for you may be deadly for them.
- Ask for your pharmacist's advice before crushing or splitting tablets. Some should only be swallowed whole.
- If you store your medications in any container other than the one they come in, be sure to show the container to your pharmacist to ask if it will change the effectiveness of your medication.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor About Your Medication
Taking medications isn't as simple as swallowing a pill. Medicines can only help if you take them as prescribed. Take part in decisions regarding your treatment, follow the treatment plan you and your doctor agree on, watch for problems and become actively involved in solving them with your healthcare team. By following these guidelines, you can help reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke and achieve the fullest benefits from your treatment plan. Review the following questions with your healthcare team and take an active role in your health.
- What is the name of the medicine?
- Is this the brand or generic name?
- What is the medicine supposed to do?
- How and when do I take it, and for how long?
- What foods, drinks, other medicines or activities should I avoid while taking this medicine?
- Is there any written information available about the medicine?
- What happens if I miss a dose of my medicine?
- How often will I have to get the medication refilled?
- How will I know that my medication is working?
- What are the risks of taking this medication?
- What are the risks of NOT taking this medication?
- Are there less expensive medications for my condition?
Get a Medication Checkup
Prescription and over-the-counter medicines help many people live longer, more active lives. When you take the right medicines the right way, they're safe and effective tools for good health. But using them incorrectly can harm you. The more medicines you take, the greater your risk of problems. You can protect your health by getting a checkup on your medications. Take these simple steps as outlined by the National Council on Patient Information and Education.
- Make an appointment with your doctor or your pharmacist.
- Put all your prescription and over-the-counter drugs in a bag. Be sure to include:
Cold remedies (liquid, capsules and tablets)
Laxatives and upset stomach aids
Other prescription or over-the-counter drugs you may be taking
Vitamins and nutritional supplements
Herbal remedies
- Remember to take all of your medications in their original containers if possible.
- Take the bag to your doctor or pharmacist and get him or her to go over all of your medicines with you.
- Ask questions about anything you don't understand.
A checkup like this gives you the opportunity to ask your healthcare professional or pharmacist important questions about your medications. It can help you find dangerous medicine combinations you may be taking, medicines you may not need to take anymore, improper dosages of medicines, and mistakes that you may be making in taking them. Call your doctor or pharmacist today to schedule a medication checkup and take charge of your health.
