ACE inhibitors
ACE inhibitors (ACEI) relax the blood vessels. This decreases the workload of your heart and lowers your blood pressure. ACEI offer long-term benefits. They improve symptoms and prolong life. Side effects may include weakness, dizziness and cough.
Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers help lower blood pressure, slow your heart rate and reduce angina (chest pain). They may improve the pumping action of the heart over time and prolong your life.
Side effects may include fatigue, dizziness and a slower heart rate. These side effects are common within the first two weeks of starting beta-blockers, but side effects generally disappear over time. These drugs should not be started if there is evidence of fluid retention (when the body holds back too much water).
Know Your Medications
There are several classes of medications given to patients with heart disease. On these pages we explain the most common medicines.
Aspirin
Aspirin is used in low doses as a "blood thinner" to reduce the "stickiness" of platelets. Platelets are the cells in the blood that form blood clots. It is effective in reducing the risk of stroke and offers a protective effect against heart attacks in people who have had previous heart problems.
Side effects may include upset stomach, heartburn and loss of appetite or dizziness.
Calcium Channel Blockers
Calcium is involved in blood vessel contraction. Calcium channel blockers do not let calcium through. Consequently, they relax and widen the blood vessels. They are used to treat high blood pressure or chest discomfort (angina). In addition, some calcium channel blockers are used to slow the heart rate while others do not.
Side effects may include dizziness, edema (the accumulation of excess fluid also called water retention) and lightheadedness, especially during the first few days.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins)
This class of medications is used to lower cholesterol and fats in the blood to help prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Side effects may include muscle aches, stomach upset, heartburn, change of taste, diarrhea and constipation.
Niacin
Niacin (nicotinic acid) is a B vitamin. It is an effective medication for people with high cholesterol and particularly for people with high triglycerides (fat) or low HDL (good cholesterol). Niacin has been shown to prevent heart attacks and prolong life in people with heart disease.
Side effects may include flushing and a feeling of warmth about the face and neck, itching, tingling or headache. These effects should subside as your body adjusts to the medication. Stomach upset, heartburn, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.
Nitroglycerin
Nitroglycerin relaxes blood vessels. This allows more blood to flow through your vessels. It reduces the workload on the heart and improves blood flow to the heart. Nitroglycerin can be given under the tongue, by mouth or placed as ointment on the skin.
Side effects may include headache, dizziness, flushing and rapid heartbeat.
Thienopyridines
Almost all post stent patients are on thienopyridines such as clopidogrel/plavix. If you had a drug coated stent, it is critical that you take a thienopyridine.