Heart Failure: Manage Your Medicines
Many different types of medicines are used to treat heart failure. Each type does a different job. Each type is sold under several different drug names. Your doctor or nurse will tell you about your medicines – their drug names and what type they are.
ACE inhibitors
ACE stands for angiotensin converting enzyme. ACE inhibitors are medicines that expand blood vessels and allow more blood to flow more easily. They help the heart pump better. They slow the disease process, so that patients may live longer and spend less time in the hospital.
Beta-Blockers
These drugs help the heart to work better. They help slow down the disease process, so that patients may live longer and spend less time in the hospital.
Diuretics
These drugs help lower salt levels in the body. They remove excess water that causes difficulty breathing and swelling.
Digitalis
This medicine helps avoid fast or skipped heartbeats (palpitations). It helps make heart contractions stronger.
Vasodilators
These drugs help open blood vessels to relieve fluid buildup and swelling.
Anti-dysrhythmic agents
These drugs help prevent abnormal heart rhythms.
Tips for managing your medicines
- Ask questions about your medicines. Your doctor, pharmacist, and nurse are here to help you learn about your medicines and why they are important to helping you feel better.
- Check the label. Be sure you are taking the correct medicine and have the correct dosage. Read the directions on the label and follow them.
- Don’t take medicine in the dark. To avoid mistakes, always have an adequate amount
of light.
- Tell your doctor if you take any over-the counter-medicines or dietary supplements. These include vitamins, minerals, herbal medicines, and aspirin. Sometimes these can react with other medicines.
- Report any new side effects. You may need to take a different dose of the medicine. Or your doctor may decide to try a different medicine.
- Always carry a list of your medicines. This can help the health team in an emergency.
To help you keep track of your medicines, use a chart like the one below.