Medicines
can not only prevent or treat a heart condition, but also can help keep your
symptoms under control. There are several types of medication for heart
conditions and all of them are different. It is a doctor or pharmacists that
chooses the one most likely to be effective for your condition.
Types of
Medication for Heart Conditions:
Angiotensin-II
antagonists (ARBs), ACE inhibitors (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors), ARNi
(angiotensin-II receptor-neprilysin inhibitor), Antiarrhythmic medicines,
anticoagulant medicines, antiplatelet medicines, Beta-blockers, Calcium channel
blockers, cholesterol-lowering medicines such as Statins, Digoxin, diuretics
and nitrates. Depending on your condition, you may also be on more than one
type of medication.
Be Clear
about your Heart Medication:
It is very
important that you are clear what you’re taking, why you are taking it, and how
it will affect you. When you’re given a new prescription, make sure to speak to
your doctor about the potential benefits and risks of the medication prescribed
for you, how to take it safely, possible side effects and actions to take if
you notice any and taking other kinds of medicine simultaneously including any
supplements or over-the-counter medicines.
Side-effects- Some medicines may cause side
effects, not everyone experiences side effects though and you may have none at
all. But often the side effects are temporary and disappear after a short time.
It’s really important that you keep taking your medication even if you think
you’re experiencing side effects but contact your general physician at the same
time. Discuss your side effects with your doctor who may be able to adjust the
dosage or change you to a different medication to lower side effects that you
may be experiencing. It’s essential for you to continue taking your prescribed
medication even if you feel better.
Storing
Medication- Doctors
ask to store medicines in a cool dry place, do not keep your medicines in your
car or on the windowsill in the sunlight, keep your medicines out of the sight
and reach of the children and pets. Try to keep your medicine in its original
packaging to protect it and help you keep track of how much you have taken. If
you notice a change in color, consistency or odor- just stay away from it.
Return old or left over medicines to your pharmacist who’ll dispose them of
safely.
When it
comes to taking the medication, most of them need to be taken regularly. Do
follow your doctor’s instructions. Don’t forget to take your dose, if you’ve
missed- take it as soon as you remember. Never take a double dose even if
you’ve missed one and its nearly time for your next dose. Take the next dose at
its scheduled time. An important thing that you should remember is never share
your medicine with other people or take one that’s not yours as that could
cause harm even if they have the condition as you or vice-versa.
When it
comes to over-the-counter medicine, herbal medicines and supplements, do check
with your doctor before taking them as they can interact with a number of
medicines prescribed for heart conditions and alter their effectiveness.
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