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Taking Heart Failure Medications Is The Key To Keeping Your Heart Healthy

Medication is an important part of the treatment plan for a heart failure (HF) patient, who may need multiple medications. Multiple medications because each one treats a different symptom or a contributing factor, and each comes with its own set of instructions. It’s important that you work with your healthcare team to understand the medications and when, how often and in what dosage to take them.


Follow these tips to get a better understanding of heart failure medications:
Learn about the medications that have been prescribed- As there are different types of HF medications to treat different symptoms or aspects of heart failure, it’s essential to understand what they’re prescribed to treat and why they’re being prescribed. It is critical for people with heart failure to take their medications exactly as directed by their healthcare provider to optimize the benefits. Correct use of these drugs can prolong life and improve the heart’s function.

Bring your concerns directly to your doctor or pharmacist- Doctors and pharmacists can answer any questions you may have about the prescribed heart failure medications, so don’t hesitate to ask. It’s just as important to consult your doctor before you take any other medications, including over-the-counter products, such as ibuprofen to avoid medicine interactions, which may render your HF medicines ineffective and might increase the risk for harmful side effects.

Check for side effects- Side effects usually vary depending on the type of medication. Dizziness is the most common side effect with HF medications. It may last only a few seconds and should improve as you change positions slowly. But if patients are having sustained dizziness that is persistent, they should seek medical help.

Keep a track of your medications- Keep a track of your medicines as HF medications need to be taken as prescribed on a daily basis- some once, twice, or maybe three times a day. Missing the dose or taking the wrong medication at the wrong time can be detrimental. Even after improvement in health, these medications must be continued. Most medicines will be continued for life. If you run out of a medicine or there is no refill, do not stop taking it until your doctor asks you to. Developing a system for tracking your medicines will help you remember what you have already taken on any given day and what you still need to take, and help you monitor the timeliness of your refills and alert you if anything out of the ordinary raises a red flag.

Enlist help of friends and family- Aside from medical therapy, managing heart failure involves very significant lifestyle changes, including limiting salt and managing fluid intake, weighing every day to check for any sudden weight gain. So, caregivers should keep an eye on your loved ones to make sure they are sticking and adjusting to their medication regimen. Heart failure patients will need proper care and support as they deal with these changes and their medical therapy.

Learn the lifesaving CPR procedure to stay prepared to face a cardiac emergency any given time. To sign up for a course, contact CPR Memphis in Tennessee on 901-438-4200.
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