The Alternative Health Gazette

Some medications for heart disease

Since heart disease is a cluster of different heart-health related problems, your doctor will treat your condition based on the specific symptoms you display.

For example, statins are prescribed if you have high cholesterol. This is a class of drug that actually inhibit the production of cholesterol in the liver. This medication works by blocking the enzyme in the liver that is responsible for the production of the fat.

Statins are used for both the prevention and the treatment of atherosclerosis that causes chest pain, heart attacks, strokes and intermittent claudication. The problem in prescribing this class of drugs is that it’s very often not clear which effect of the drug is responsible for the benefits. Therefore, very often, the goal of statin treatment is not just the reduction of cholesterol levels. It is frequently used as a preventative tool for heart attacks and strokes. The medical establishment considers this as a valuable option.

Statins differ in several ways, the most obvious of which is in how well they reduce cholesterol. Right now, atorvastatin, which goes by the brand name of Lipitor along with rosuvastatin, sold under the brand name of Crestor are the most powerful. Fluvastatin sold under the name of Lescol is the least potent of the group.

Another drug your doctor may prescribe you is in a class called ACE inhibitors. These are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure. If you have already had a heart attack, you may also be taking this. While ace inhibitors are usually free from harsh side effects, some people do develop problems taking these. They may develop a cough, get an elevated blood potassium level, feel dizzy, develop headaches, weakness or even feel drowsy after taking these drugs. Unfortunately, once you get off of this medication, it may take an additional month for the cough to subside.

If you’re taking any of the following, your taking an ACE inhibitor: captopril (Capoten), benazepril (Lotensin), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, or Zestril) fosinopril (Monoril) ramipril (Altace), perindopril (Aceon) quinapril (Accupril), moexipril (Univasc) and trandolapril (Mavik).

Your physician may also prescribe a blood-thinning medication, especially if you’re at high risk for a stroke or heart attack. These medications are called anticoagulants. These drugs are especially helpful for those who are at risk at developing blood clots. In addition to thinning the blood, these drugs also reduce the ability of the blood to clot.

If you take herbal supplements for your health and wellness, it’s extremely important to know what each herb does within your body if you’re also taking prescription heart medications. Some herbs for instance, may counteraffect what your prescription medications are meant to do, while others may enhance the effects of the medications instead.

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