Congestive heart failure is a chronic long-term condition caused by damage to the heart muscle. Because the heart muscle is no longer able to pump blood around the body effectively, a significant number of symptoms occur which are a side effect of a lack of oxygen. For instance, individuals often suffer from fatigue and a decreased ability to do any type of physical activity because the blood is shunted away from the legs and extremities in order to give the highest concentration of oxygen to the more vital organs. Medications are only one of the factors in the arsenal used to treat the symptoms of congestive heart failure in individuals who suffer from this rather significant condition.
People who do have congestive heart failure may have to take many different types of medications, all of which can have potential side effects. Potentially, this mixture of medications can also induce dangerous drug interactions. For this reason it is highly important that an individual who is taking multiple medications for their congestive heart failure not self medicate with any over-the-counter medications that could make their heart failure worse. Any cold preparations, cough syrups or even lozenges should be cleared with your pharmacist and only after they know each medication that you are already taking.
Herbal supplements and natural holistic treatments are also drugs that can cause drug interactions with the medications you are taking for your congestive heart failure. Always tell your health care provider and pharmacist about all of the medications that you are taking, including herbal preparations and multivitamins.
In an effort to control symptoms physicians have 10 different categories of medications at their disposal. These medications include ACE inhibitors, diuretics, vasodilators, digitalis, beta-blockers, blood thinners, angiotensin two receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, potassium and cholesterol-lowering drugs. The ACE inhibitors are now used as the first line of treatment and the cornerstone of drug therapy for individuals who have congestive heart failure. They have been shown to slow the progression of heart failure and are a medication that causes the blood vessels to expand, lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload on the heart. (1)
Diuretics are commonly called water pills and used for any patient who has a fluid buildup in the body causing swelling in the tissues. Diuretics help the kidneys to remove more sodium and water and convert it into urine. This helps to relieve the workload on the heart muscle because there is less fluid to pump through the body. (2)
Vasodilators are a classification of medication that helps the blood vessel walls to widen or relax, which allows blood to flow through them more easily. Digitalis preparations include digoxin, which increases the force of the hearts contractions and is beneficial for individuals who are suffering from heart failure. These are especially important when a patient is no longer responding to ACE inhibitors and diuretics.
When the heart is faced with a significant workload it often tries to compensate by beating faster, which puts another strain upon the muscle. This next category of medications, beta-blockers, will reduce the tendency to beat faster and allow the heart to maintain a slower rate, as well as lower blood pressure. Blood thinners are used to reduce the risk of developing blood clots. People who have congestive heart failure are at higher risk of developing a blood clot in the vessels of the legs, lungs and heart. (3)
Angiotensin two receptor blockers prevent the formation of a chemical called angiotensin two, which causes the small blood vessels to constrict and raises blood pressure. Rather than lowering the levels of angiotensin two, this medication prevents the chemical from having any effect on the heart and blood vessels. Calcium channel blockers are medications used to treat high blood pressure that is associated with congestive heart failure. It causes the muscles to relax, lowers blood pressure and improves circulation in the heart.
Potassium is a mineral that helps to control the heart rhythm and is essential for the normal working of the nervous system and muscles. It is very important to have a balanced amount of potassium in the body, especially in the function of the heart muscle. Most diuretics will remove potassium from the body so patients may need to take supplements to compensate for the amount that they are losing.
This list of potential medications used to treat congestive heart failure are weapons in an arsenal of technologically advanced treatment protocols which physicians now have at their disposal in order to decrease the symptoms which individuals suffer. Discuss any side effects that you may be having with your primary care physician or cardiologists. When you symptoms arise be sure to consult with your physician as soon as possible in order to get the best treatment protocol recommendations possible for your individual situation.
(1) British Medical Journal: Management: Diuretics, ACE Inhibitors and Nitrates
(2) RxList: Diuretics: FAQs
http://www.mayoclinic.org/Congestive Heart Failure
RESOURCES
Drugs.com: Heart Failure
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/default.aspx Heart Failure Medications
MedlinePlus: Heart Failure
Vanderbilt Heart: Specific Medications for Congestive Heart Failure