Medicines for your heart

Medication may be a key part of your treatment for a heart condition.

Your drugs may be prescribed by your GP or by a heart specialist (cardiologist).

Either way, it’s important to know what you are taking, why you are taking it, when and how to take it and how it will affect you.

Your doctor will advise you on:

• the drugs which will suit you best
• potential benefits and risks of taking the drugs
• how safe it is to use particular drugs if you have any other medical conditions
• possible side effects and what to do if you notice any
• whether it is safe to take other kinds of drug.

What do heart medicines do?

There are a number of different drugs to treat heart conditions. The way that each drug works depends on what it is.

Most drugs change how the heart or circulatory system works. Others are given to control high blood pressure or to help lower cholesterol. Some drugs can treat more than one condition.

Some drugs can change how the heart works in more than one way. For example, some beta-blockers can help lower your blood pressure and slow down your heart rate.

Which heart drug do I need?

You may have heard people talk about different drugs for heart disease and feel confused about all the drugs available. There might be several different drugs available for your heart condition, but not all of them will be right for you. Your doctor will choose the drug that’s most likely to be effective and which they think will suit you best.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions or to tell your doctor how your drugs are making you feel. People’s bodies respond to drugs differently and if your medication doesn’t suit you, your doctor will prescribe something else.

How often will I need to take my drugs?

Most drugs need to be taken regularly, but you should always follow your doctor’s instructions. In most cases, this means taking your drugs once or twice a day, but some drugs need to be taken when you experience a symptom, like angina (chest pain).

Other drugs can be used to prevent a symptom developing. For example, drugs for pain relief can help keep your pain under control before you do exercise.

Drugs come in different forms and you need to take them in different ways. For example, some drugs should be taken when you have an empty stomach, some with food and some after food. You may need to take tablets or capsules, use a spray under your tongue or put a patch on your arm.

It can be dangerous to stop taking your drugs without medical advice so speak to your doctor before you stop taking any medication.

Do heart drugs have side effects?

The drugs used to treat heart conditions are very safe. Although dangerous side effects are rare, all drugs have possible side effects so if you develop any new symptoms, it’s important to tell your doctor.

By law the information leaflet that comes with your drugs must list all its possible side effects. Your pharmacist can also tell you more about your drugs.

Why are there so many different drugs?

Most drugs designed to treat heart conditions belong to a few main types. Drugs of each type are similar, but they may work in slightly different ways.

The same drug may have several different names. Each drug has:

• an official name (also called its generic name)
• one or more trade names, (also called proprietary names) – given to it by its manufacturer.

Occasionally, two drugs are combined in one tablet and have a single trade name.

Look up your medication on the Medicine Guides website.

Can I take over-the-counter drugs?

Over-the-counter drugs are drugs you can buy from a pharmacy or supermarket for problems like colds or headaches. You do not need a prescription to buy them.

Check with a pharmacist or your GP whether it is safe to take over-the-counter drugs as well as your prescribed drugs. It may be handy to have the name of your drug with you when you speak to the pharmacist.

Can I take herbal remedies, vitamins or other supplements?

Some people take herbal remedies, vitamins or other supplements which have not been prescribed by their doctor.

Although you may find these products helpful, you should not consider them as substitutes for prescribed drugs. That’s because most of them have not gone through research trials to establish how safe or effective they are.

Herbal remedies, vitamins or other supplements can change the way your prescribed drugs work so check with your doctor before you take a supplement.

Find out more about non-pharmaceutical medicines and supplements.

Questions to ask

You may find it helpful to ask the following questions when your doctor prescribes a drug you have not had before:

• What is this drug for? 
• How long will it be before it takes effect?
• Are there any side effects?
• How should I take the drug?
• When should I take the drug?
• How long do I have to take the drug for? 
• Can I take the drug in combination with drugs that I am already taking?
• Will I need any follow-up investigations following drug treatment?