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Medicines for Heart Disease
You will likely take several types of medicine for your heart disease. Some of the medicines reduce the chance of heart attack and stroke while others control blood pressure and cholesterol. You may also take medicines for other heart problems, such as heart failure or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia). Other health conditions, such as diabetes, likely also need medicines.
Keeping track of your medicines and knowing what each does can get confusing. It's important to understand that all of these medicines need to be taken as prescribed for your best health outcome. Don't stop taking them without talking with your health care provider.
Types of medicines for heart disease
Many people with heart disease take the four medicines shown in this chart. Other common medicines are listed later. Your health care provider or cardiac rehab team can help you look at the types of medicines that have been prescribed for you.
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Type of medicine
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What it does
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Statin
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ACE inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)
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Antiplatelet
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Beta-blocker
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Other medicines you may take
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Type of medicine
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What it does
|
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Antiarrhythmic
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Helps slow down and control a fast or irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
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|
Anticoagulant
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Decreases the clotting (coagulating) ability of the blood. They are commonly known as blood thinners.
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They help to reduce the risk that a blood clot will form.
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They do not dissolve existing blood clots.
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They may prevent the clots from becoming larger and causing more serious problems.
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Antihypertensive
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Helps lower blood pressure
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Calcium channel blocker
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Helps blood flow more easily through the arteries by widening (dilating) them
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Diuretic
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Helps your body get rid of extra water and sodium through urine. This is important if you have high blood pressure or heart failure.
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Nitrate (nitroglycerin)
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Helps prevent and treat angina (chest pain)
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Vasodilator
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Helps blood flow more easily through the arteries by widening the arteries
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Online Medical Reviewer:
Rita Sather RN
Online Medical Reviewer:
Terri Koson DNP RN ACNP
Online Medical Reviewer:
Vinita Wadhawan Researcher
Date Last Reviewed:
2/1/2025
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