 One of the most important things that you can do to manage your heart failure is to take your medications as prescribed. Heart failure treatments will help reduce fatigue, swelling and shortness of breath. In addition to making you feel better, they will also help keep your heart failure from getting worse, so that you can live longer and healthier.
Most medications either help the heart pump better or reduce the extra fluid present in the body in heart failure. A brief overview of the medications is found below. More detailed information will be available to you about those particular medications the doctor prescribes for you. Listed below are some medications commonly used to manage congestive heart failure. You may want to print this article and use the fill-in blanks to record the medications you are using.
Diuretics
Digoxin
ACE Inhibitors
ARBs
Beta-Blockers
Vasodilators
Warfarin
Aspirin
Diuretics
Diuretics are commonly called “water pills”. These medicines help reduce the amount of salt and water in the body by increasing urine production. Extra body water makes more work for the heart. These medications can be given either in pill form or as an intravenous injection. Many patients with congestive heart failure will have to take a diuretic at least once daily.
All heart failure patients should weigh themselves daily, and a weight gain of 2-5 lbs. in 1-3 days should be reported to your doctor. Some diuretics also cause your body to get rid of extra potassium, so a potassium supplement may be needed with them. Most people prefer to take their diuretics in the morning to avoid night time trips to the bathroom. If you have diabetes, you should be aware that some diuretics can increase your blood sugar, so careful monitoring of your blood sugar is very important while taking these drugs.
Spironolactone is a weak diuretic that works by blocking hormones in the body that can be detrimental in heart failure, so it works a couple different ways. It may keep the heart from becoming stiff and unable to relax appropriately. This drug can make heart failure patients feel better and decrease their chance of death. This drug is often taken in addition to another diuretic like Lasix. This may decrease the need for a potassium supplement.
The diuretic(s) that I am taking are:
__________________________________________.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Digoxin works on the heart to strengthen the force of contraction. It also is used to treat certain heart rhythm problems. While taking this medication, you should check your pulse daily and notify your doctor should it drop below 60. You may have blood tests checked to monitor the level of digoxin in your body.
I am taking digoxin.Yes _____ No _____
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACE Inhibitors)
ACE inhibitors decrease the production of the hormone angiotensin. This results in relaxing the blood vessel, so that the heart pumps more efficiently. ACE inhibitors are used to treat heart failure, high blood pressure and also to protect the kidneys of patients with diabetes. Studies have shown that heart failure patients taking ACE inhibitors have a lower rate of strokes, heart attacks, complications of diabetes, and even death. The dose is usually started low and gradually increased.
The ACE inhibitor that I am taking is: ______________________________________.
Angiotensin II Receptor blockers (ARBs)
ARB’s are usually given to people who can’t take ACE inhibitors. These drugs block the function of the hormone angiotensin. They also relax the blood vessels so the heart can eject the blood easier like ACE inhibitors.
I am taking an ARB. Yes _____ No _____.
The name is: ________________________.
Beta-Blockers
Beta-blockers slow the heart rate, making your heart use less oxygen. They also decrease the likelihood of abnormal heart rhythms. Beta-blockers can be used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. Beta blockers stabilize heart function and improve survival. It is important for you to tell your doctor if you currently have or have ever had asthma because beta-blockers can make the wheezing worse.
The beta-blocker that I am taking is: __________________________________________.
Vasodilators (Hydralazine /Nitrates):
Vasodilators cause the blood vessel walls to widen or relax, so the blood flows more easily. Vasodilators may be given instead of or in addition to ACE inhibitors or ARB’s.
The vasodilator I am taking is:
______________________________________________.
Warfarin
Because people with heart failure are at risk of developing clots in the legs, lungs or heart, they may take warfarin, which is also called Coumadin. This is a blood thinner that will keep your blood from clotting. It is given to people with an abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation. It is also used with artificial valves and sometimes in people with severe congestive heart failure.
Warfarin therapy must be regularly monitored with the INR test to determine the amount of medication a person must take. Some medications and foods may interact with warfarin, which could make your blood either “too thick or too thin”. Therefore, you should maintain a consistent diet and remind all your doctors that you are taking warfarin when they start or stop any of your medications. Warfarin may also cause you to bruise.
I am taking warfarin or Coumadin.Yes _____ No _____.
My dose is: ______________________________________.
Aspirin
Aspirin is used in people who have cardiovascular disease (heart attack or stroke) or to prevent it from occurring in patients who are at high risk. It works on particles in the blood called platelets to keep them from sticking together. This will help prevent a clot from forming in the blood vessels of the body. Aspirin therapy should be used cautiously in people who have had problems with bleeding ulcers. You should notify your doctor if you have ever had this happen and are told to take aspirin. Aspirin may also cause you to bruise a little bit easier. Usually this bruising is normal and it is not a problem. However if the bruising becomes excessive, notify your doctor.
I am taking aspirin.Yes _____ No _____.
My dose is: __________________________.
If you take aspirin, do you take an enteric coated product to help protect your stomach?
Yes _____ No _____
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