NJCIYour Heart & Heart DiseaseMedications Printer Friendly Page

ACE inhibitors belong to the class of medicines called high blood pressure medicines (antihypertensives). They block the body's ability to constrict veins, allowing the blood flow to be smoother and without as much pressure. In addition, these drugs decrease sodium and water retention. Examples: Benazepril; Captopril; Cilazapril; Enalapril; Enalaprilat; Fosinopril; Lisinopril; Moexipril; Perindopril; Quinapril; Ramipril; Trandolapril.

Antiarrhythmic Drugs

Antiarrhythmic drugs are given to help the heartbeat slow down, speed up or regulate depending on the type of arrhythmia. Examples: quinidine, amiodarone.

Anticoagulants

The use of anticoagulants is still considered mandatory in all patients with mechanical valves and is often prescribed for patients with tissue valves or other cardiovascular problems. It is important for you to use these drugs only as directed by your physician. Examples: Coumadin, Miradon.

Blood has a tendency to clot (coagulate), therefore, it is necessary to prevent blood clots from forming and breaking off from the valve. Some patients with an irregular heart rhythm, called atrial fibrillation, also take anticoagulants to prevent clots from forming in the heart. The effect of Coumadin is slightly different for each person.

Anti-Hypertensive Drugs

They are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and the most common types include ace inhibitors, diuretics, beta blockers, and calcium channel blockers.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers block the effects of adrenaline, thus easing the heart's pumping action and widening blood vessels. Examples: Inderal, Sectral, Tenormin, Blocadren

Bile-Acid Sequestrants

Bile-acid sequestrants bind to bile from the liver (which is made up mostly from cholesterol) and prevent it from being reabsorbed into the circulation therefore, less cholesterol gets into the body. Example: Colestid.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Prescribed to treat angina (chest pain) and high blood pressure. These drugs affect the movement of calcium in the cells of the heart and blood vessels. As a result, calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, while reducing its workload. Examples: Adalat, Calan, Cardizen, Procardia, Nimotop.

Cholesterol lowering Drugs

Common types include Niacin, Bile-acid sequestrants and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. Cholesterol is necessary for building new cells, insulating nerves and producing hormones, but sometimes the body absorbs and creates too much cholesterol, resulting in blocked arteries.

Diuretics

Help reduce the amount of fluid in the body and are useful for patients with fluid retention and hypertension. Examples: Bumetanide; Ethacrynic Acid; Furosemide

Digitalis

Increases the force of the heart's contractions, helping to improve circulation.

MG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors

MG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors block production of cholesterol in the liver. Examples: Mevacor and Pravachol.

Inotropes

Inotropes are used when heart failure patients are hospitalized. These drugs strengthen the heart's pumping.

Niacin

Niacin lowers low-density lipoproteins (the "bad" cholesterol) and raises high-density lipoproteins (the "good" cholesterol).

tPA

tPA is Used to dissolve blood clots that have formed in the blood vessels of the heart and seriously lessen the flow of blood in the heart. This medicine is used to improve survival after a heart attack. Example: Tenecteplase.

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