Ace Inhibitors- ‘pril’

Another medication that is mainly used in the treatment of high blood pressure. They work by preventing tightening in the walls of smaller arteries and veins. This allows the vessels to stay open and relaxed allowing blood to flow through easily and so lower blood pressure.

ARB’s are used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, they can also be used for chronic kidney disease and are prescribed after a heart attack. ARB’s work by reducing the action of a hormone called angiotensin II which has a constricting effect on blood vessels and so increases blood pressure.

Treatment for people with abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia’s). An arrythmia happens as a result of problems with electrical impulses which regulate your heart, this can make your heart beat too quickly, slowly or abnormally. They can range from being life threatening to a minor inconvenience.

Often prescribed to people with high blood pressure, heart failure or patients who are retaining fluid. There is a close relationship between the heart and kidneys meaning that if you have a weak heart that isn’t properly pumping, the kidneys sense this and tell the body to retain more fluid.

Nitrates are vasodilators which means they relax and widen our arteries and veins. By dilating coronary arteries and veins they can reduce the stress on your heart by improving blood flow. They are commonly used as treatment for angina which is caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries.

Warfarin is the most widely prescribed anticoagulant in the UK. It works by decreasing the clotting ability of your blood which lowers the likelihood of blood clots. It is known be highly effective in reducing the risk of stroke for people with an irregular abnormal heart rhythm called atrial fibrillation (AF).

CCB’s work by reducing the amount of calcium entering heart cells and blood vessel walls. This allows blood vessels to relax and the heart to receive more oxygenated blood. Some CCB’s block calcium going into conducting cells in the heart and so slow heart rate.

Among the most important drugs used by cardiologists according to the British Heart Foundation. They work by blocking the release of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, resulting in slowing of heart rate. They can also block your kidneys from producing a hormone called angiotensin II which lowers blood pressure.

Medication that prevents blood clots by reducing the ‘stickiness’ of platelets, small particles which circulate in your blood stream and are responsible for clotting. Heart attacks occur due to a fatty plaque build-up in the arteries, if one of the plaques ruptures platelets are activated to clot around the rupture and form a blood clot.

A cholesterol lowering drug, they block the effects of an enzyme in your liver which is used to produce cholesterol. As we know, high levels of cholesterol lead to build ups of fatty deposits in our arteries, increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Before you start taking statins you may need a blood test to check how well your liver functions.