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 work. 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 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.
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?
More information
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