What do you need to know about heart medication?

Why might you need heart medication

Heart medication can keep your symptoms under control, and even prevent or treat a heart condition. Your doctor, pharmacist or nurse will advise you on the most appropriate medicine for your condition. If you are an adult CHD patient, you may be on more than one type of medication.

Different types of heart medication

The most common heart medications include:

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors)
  • Angiotensin-II antagonists (ARBs)
  • Angiotensin-II receptor-neprilysin inhibitor (ARNi)
  • Antiarrhythmic medicines
  • Anticoagulant medicines (e.g. Warfarin)
  • Antiplatelet medicines
  • Beta-blockers
  • Calcium channel blockers
  • Cholesterol-lowering medicines (e.g. statins)
  • Digoxin
  • Diuretics
  • Nitrates.

What to ask your doctor?

When given a new prescription, speak to your doctor about:

  • Its potential benefits and risks
  • How to take it safely and what to do if you miss a dose
  • Whether it will cause side effects
  • What to do if you notice any side affects
  • Whether the medication might affect other medicine you are taking at the same time
  • Whether it’s okay to continue taking other medicine (including any over-the-counter medicines or supplements).

Helping you make healthy decisions

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With your help, we’ve helped fund new and improved treatments for congenital heart disease. we opened the UK’s first dedicated Congenital Heart Research Centre. we’ve organised receptions at the House of Lords and House of Commons, a film première, concerts, parachute jumps, marathon runs, annual sponsored walks and masquerade balls. we ensure that adult CHD patients enjoy access to every opportunity, are free from discrimination, and are fully supported throughout their lives. we’ve staged annual conferences, regional patient information days and workshops throughout the UK. we’ve published a range of leaflets for CHD patients on a wide-range of topics. we’ve launched a Freephone patient helpline to provide practical advice, a listening ear, and emotional reassurance at times of stress. we’ve created online networks where congenital heart patients can connect with each other. we successfully applied for a Comic Relief grant to help develop mental health support services. we’ve contributed to adult congenital heart disease nurse training days and taken part in various study days and conferences for medical and health professionals. we’ve established a benevolent fund for members who are in financial hardship. we’ve organised residential weekends and outward bound holidays for teenagers and adults, providing congenital heart patients with the opportunity to meet and gain support from each other.

Just think what else we could do if you donate, fundraise or volunteer for us.

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