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Medication Common
Medications for Heart Disease Beta-adrenergic blockers lower the heart rate, even during exercise or periods of stress, and decrease the force of the heart's contraction. They can be used to treat symptoms of coronary heart disease, high blood pressure and irregular heart rhythms, as well as other conditions. Side effects: fatigue, gastric pain, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, slow heart rate, congestive heart failure, impotence, decreased libido, trouble sleeping. Less common side effects: difficulty breathing, cold hands and feet, depression, anxiety, confusion, dry and sore eyes, swelling of ankles, feet and lower legs, itchy skin or skin rash, stomach discomfort, frequent urination, unusual bleeding and bruising, hallucinations, fever and sore throat. This drug can mask signs of low blood sugar in people with diabetes and can aggravate asthma. Older patients tend to be more sensitive to the side effects and may become more sensitive to cold when taking beta blockers. If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking medications from this class. These drugs can have side effects on pregnant women and unwanted effects on newborn babies. These drugs are also passed onto babies through breast milk. Calcium Channel Blockers Calcium channel blockers relax blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart, by reducing the amount of work the heart must do to pump blood to the body. These medications are used to treat symptoms of coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. Side effects: fatigue, heartburn, dizziness, lightheadedness, headache, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, swelling of the ankles and legs, slow heart rate, flushing, nasal congestion. Nitroglycerin Nitroglycerin is used to relax the blood vessels and increase the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. It is used to treat the symptoms of coronary artery disease. Side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea. next >> |