Your doctor may prescribe medications for your heart condition and any underlying condition you have. These medications may improve the way your heart pumps and relieve some of your symptoms.
Some medications can cause side effects. Be sure to tell your doctor about any you notice after starting your medication. Side effects may include nausea, dry cough, dizziness, muscle cramps, or changes in your heart rhythm.
Download more information about medications / En Espanol 
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Medications for heart disease and how they work |
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Medication
categories and names |
Effects |
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Angiotension Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors:
Captopril (Capoten®)
Enalopril (Vasotec®)
Fosinopril (Monopril®)
Lisinopril (Zestril®, Prinivil®)
Quinapril (Accupril®)
Ramipril (Altace®) |
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open blood vessels for better blood flow
lower blood pressure, which makes it easier for the heart to pump |
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Angiotension Receptor Blockers (ARBs):
Candesartan (Atacand®)
Irbesartan (Avapro®)
Losartan (Cozaar®)
Valsartan (Diovan®) |
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make the heart pump more effectively
slows and regulates heartbeat | |
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Antiarrhythmics:
Amiodarone (Cordarone®,Pacerone®)
Procainamide
(Procanbid®, Pronestyl®)
Sotolol
(Betapace®, Betapace AF®) |
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regulate heart rate and rhythm | |
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Anticoagulants:
Aspirin
Clopidogrel (Plavix®)
Enoxaprin (Lovenox®)
Warfarin (Coumadin®) |
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prevent blood clots from forming
some help the heart beat more slowly andregularly | |
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Beta Blockers:
Atenolol (Tenormin®)
Carvedilol (Coreg®)
Metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol XL®) |
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lower blood pressure
decrease the heart's workload | |
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Calcium Channel Blockers:
Amlodipine (Norvasc®)
Diltiazem (Dilacor®, Cardizem®)
Felodipine (Plendil®)
Nifedipine (Adalat®, Procardia®)
Verapamil (Isoptin®, Calan®) |
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make the heart pump more effectively
slows and regulates heartbeat | |
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Digitalis:
Digoxin (Lanoxin®) |
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Diuretics:
Bumetinide (Bumex®)
Furosemide (Lasix®)
Hydrocholorothiazide, HCTZ (Oretic®) |
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help the body get rid of extra fluid | |
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Lipid-lowering Medication:
Atorvastatin (Lipitor®)
Ezetimibe (Zetia®)
Fenofibrate (TriCor®)
Gemfibrozil (Lopid®)
Pravastatin (Pravachol®)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor®)
Simvastatin (Zocor®) |
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lower fat (cholesterol and triglyceride) levels in the blood | |
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Nitrates and Nitrites:
Imdur®
Nitrobid®
Nitrodur®
Nitrostat® |
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relax and widen blood vessels to prevent and relieve angina
replaces potassium that is lost when you take diurectics | |
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Potassium
K-Dur®
Klor-Con®
K'lor®
Micro-K® |
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relax and widen blood vessels to prevent and relieve angina
replaces potassium that is lost when you take diurectics | |
