Ace Inhibitors- ‘pril’

Often used to lower blood pressure, Ace inhibitors reduce the activity of an enzyme called angiotensin-converting enzyme or ACE for short. The enzyme has a narrowing effect on your blood vessels which increases blood pressure. Ace inhibitors limit this enzyme, allowing your blood vessels to widen, reducing blood pressure and improving blood flow to the heart.

Ace inhibitors are known to reduce blood supply to the kidneys and therefore blood and urine tests might be done for you start taking them. This is to ensure there are no pre-existing problems with your kidneys. The main difference between different types of ACE inhibitors is how long their effects last. There are both short and long acting types. Long acting are taken less frequently, sometimes just once a day whereas short acting ones can be taken up to three times a day. Each drug comes with a range of strengths, it is normal to start on a lower strength and work up as you get used to them.

 

Side Effects:

1 in 10 people experience a dry, irritating cough from taking ace inhibitors, other side effects include dizziness, tiredness/ weakness and headaches. Most of these side effects should pass after a few days however the dry irritating cough may not. It’s recommended to begin taking ACE inhibitors immediately after a heart attack and in the majority of cases you will continue to take them indefinitely.

Alpha blockers

Alpha blockers

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.

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Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB’s) ‘sartan’.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB’s) ‘sartan’.

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.

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Anti-Arrhythmic

Anti-Arrhythmic

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.

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Diuretics

Diuretics

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.

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Nitrates – GTN Spray

Nitrates – GTN Spray

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.

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Anti-Coagulants – Warfarin

Anti-Coagulants – Warfarin

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).

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Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB’s)

Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB’s)

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.

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Beta blockers ‘olol’

Beta blockers ‘olol’

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.

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Anti-Platelets – Aspirin

Anti-Platelets – Aspirin

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.

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Statins

Statins

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.

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Weight Loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Understanding Your Heart

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lifestyle Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What is Cariovascular Disease?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Medication

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Journey through Cardiac Rehab