Patient Information --> Medical and Surgical Information --> Medications --> Traditional Medication

Heart medications generally work by restoring blood flow to the heart, decreasing the work of the heart, or restoring normal heart rhythms. You may receive some of these drugs based on the needs of your heart.

• Aspirin: Aspirin helps to limit blood clotting, helping to maintain blood flow through a narrowed artery. Most patients with heart disease are told to take an aspirin daily. If a heart attack is suspected, an aspirin may be one of the first drugs given.
  
  

• Thrombolytic therapy is not appropriate for people who have had: A major surgery, organ biopsy, or major trauma within the past 6 weeks Recent neurosurgery Head trauma within the past month History of GI (gastrointestinal) bleed Intracranial tumor Stroke within the past 6 months Current severe hypertension Thrombolytic therapy can not be given if it has been greater than 12 hours since you've had a heart attack or if the doctor is unable to determine that you have had a heart attack. Possible complications of thrombolytic therapy include bleeding and hemorrhage.

  Thrombolytics: These medications are only given if a heart attack is suspected. These drugs help dissolve a blood clot that is blocking a coronary artery and blood flow to your heart. Because of their action, they are often called "clot busters". The earlier you receive a thrombolytic drug following a heart attack, the greater the chance you will survive. You will be given this medication through an IV line.
  
  
• "Super aspirins." Doctors in the emergency room may give you a new drug called a platelet IIb/IIIa receptor blocker, or "super aspirin." Also for heart attacks, this drug is more potent than regular aspirin and helps prevent new clots from forming.
  
  
• Heparin: Like aspirin, heparin makes your blood less "sticky" and less likely to form clots. It may be given either through the IV or as a quick shot into the fatty tissue of your stomach. You may be given this drug if the doctor suspects a heart attack, or you have a problem with a heart arrhythmia or valve disorder that is causing clots to form.
  
  
• Pain relievers: In the event of a heart attack, it is vital that we get your pain under control right away. You may be given a pain reliever such as morphine to relieve your pain. You will be questioned often about the status of your pain, often asking you to rate your pain on a 0 to 10 scale with 0 being no pain and 10 being the worst pain ever.
  
  
• Nitroglycerin: This medication, used to treat chest pain (angina), briefly opens narrowed blood vessels. It helps improve blood flow to and from your heart. It is either given by a small pill or spray under the tongue, or given through your IV.

  Intravenous Line (IV): An IV is a thin plastic tube placed into a vein usually in your arm. Medications and fluids are given through it.

  
  
  
• Beta blockers: These drugs help relax your heart muscle, slow your heartbeat and decrease blood pressure. Overall, these drugs make your heart's job easier.

While these are the most common drugs for heart disease, there are many more your doctor might prescribe based upon your illness. It is very important that you know how to take care of your medications and how to take them right! The drugs you will be sent home with must be taken just as prescribed by your doctor. Here are some other important guidelines you must follow:

• Have a plan for taking your pills.
• Keep pills out of the reach of children.
• Read all your labels carefully. Never take them in the dark.
• Keep pills in their original bottles that came from pharmacy unless placing them in a pill reminder box.
• Keep pills in a dry place at room temperature. Do not store in the bathroom because there is too much moisture there.
• Use a pill reminder box, cross off the date or write in on the calendar and/or match taking your pills with a daily task such as getting dressed or eating a meal.
• Fill each prescription right away. Do not take any medicine you already have at home unless you are told to do so.
• Take the pills at the time and the doses prescribed. Do not take more or less than your doctor prescribes. You can hurt yourself if you skip a dose or take too much.
• Do not let your prescriptions go unfilled. keep a pharmacy schedule.
• Crush or break your medicine only if you have been told to do so by your doctor or pharmacist.
• Keep an updated list of all medications you take, including all prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and herbs.
• Keep a list of medicines that you can't take due to allergies or severe reactions.
• Bring all of your medications with you when you go to the doctor or hospital.

Be sure you understand all about your drugs before you go home. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain the following for every medicine:

• Brand name (example: coumadin) and generic name (warfarin)
• What the medicine is for
• How long it takes to work
• How much/how often
• When to take
• What to do if you miss a dose
• Food or drink to avoid
• Possible side effects
• When to seek help
• Activity restrictions