Heart > Treatments > Medications

Medications

	Patients can fill prescriptions using a virtual pharmacy in the Health & Care Store. It works just like drive-up windows at bank, except you talk to a pharmacist over a live video feed.

Most patients with cardiovascular disease (CAD) require medications to manage their disease. Please remember to bring a list of your medications to your appointments. Our medication record (pdf)  helps you track the name of the medication and dosage.

• Use heart medications safely and effectively
•   Fill out a medication record (pdf)

Medications most often used for treating heart disease include the following.

Medication		Description
Aldosterone antagonist		A potassium-sparing diuretic that works by blocking aldosterone, which helps eliminate salt and water from the body.
Amiodarone		Used to control irregular or abnormal heart rhythms.
Aspirin, antiplatelets or anticoagulants		Help prevent blood clots in blood vessels. People who have had a stent placed need to take a special antiplatelet drug for at least one month following the procedure, in addition to aspirin.
ACE inhibitors and ARBs		Increase the amount of blood pumped by a weak heart, and protect blood vessels and heart muscles from progressive damage.
Beta blockers		Prevent recurrence of chest pain (angina) and heart attacks by decreasing the heart’s workload. They also protects the heart muscle in weakened hearts.
Calcium channel blockers		Help the heart's blood vessels and muscles relax. They are sometimes used for people who have angina or an irregular heart rhythm.
Cholesterol-lowering drugs (usually known as statins)		Help lower cholesterol and stabilize plaque, decreasing the chance of a heart attack.
Diabetes medications		Help stabilize and maintain blood sugar levels in a safe range to minimize short- and long-term complications, and prevent plaque buildup.
Digoxin		Used to strengthen the heartbeat and increase blood flow to the rest of the body.
Diuretics		Help eliminate fluids from the body to reduce fluid retention.
Hydralazine		Similar to ACE inhibitors and ARBs because it lowers blood pressure.
Isosorbide		A nitrate, like nitroglycerin, used to control angina. Isosorbide also may be prescribed for use at bedtime if you experience shortness of breath when lying down.
Nitroglycerin		Relieve angina by adjusting the imbalance between the heart's blood flow and oxygen levels, and lowering pressure in the arteries.
Potassium		When diuretics reduce the extra fluid and salt in your body, you also lose potassium. People who take diuretics frequently also need to take potassium supplements.
Warfarin (Coumadin™)		Sometimes referred to as a blood thinner; however, it actually reduces the blood's ability to clot. People with weakened heart muscles, chronically irregular heart rhythms or artificial heart valves take Warfarin to keep clots from forming.