Heart disease, also called coronary artery disease, is a condition in where plaque builds up in the coronary arteries, arteries that supply the muscles of the heart with oxygen-rich blood, according to US National Library of Medicine, and is America’s leading cause of death. Physicians can prescribe several kinds of medications to prevent coronary artery disease from occurring or from getting worse.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are drugs that decrease blood pressure and increase urine volume, per “Core Concepts of Pharmacology” by Norman Holland and Michael Adams. These drugs can help prevent coronary artery disease from getting worse, says the Mayo Clinic, and may reduce the risk of heart attacks. Captopril (Capoten) treats the diagnosis of heart failure and myocardial infarction. Benazepril hydrochloride (Lotensin) can be used in combination with diuretics (medications used to rid the body of excess fluids) to treat heart disease. Enalapril maleate (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), quinapril hydrochloride (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), and lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril) are all used to treat heart failure. Moexipril hydrochloride (Univasc) and trandolapril (Mavik) are both for the treatment of hypertension, according to Holland and Adams.
Aspirin
A daily blood thinner or aspirin can reduce blood clots, which can obstruct the coronary arteries, says the Mayo Clinic. Aspirin can help decrease the risk for heart attacks, but aspirin can not be used by people who already take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder.
Beta blockers
Beta blockers slow the heart rate and cause a decrease in blood pressure, which also lowers the heart’s demand for oxygen, says the Mayo Clinic. Iosatan potassium (Cozaar) is a beta blocker that relaxes smooth vascular muscle. Omesartan (Benicar) was approved for use in 2002, according to Holland and Adams. Some beta blockers, such as irbesartan (Avapro) and valsartan (Diovan), take a couple of weeks to reach their maximum effectiveness in treating heart disease. Beta blockers can reduce the risk heart attacks.
Calcium channel blockers
Calcium channel blockers are medications that relax the muscles that surround your coronary arteries by controlling the amount of calcium in the muscle cells, according to Holland and Adams. These medications cause the vessels to open, allowing an increased amount of blood flow to the heart, thus allowing control of blood pressure. Calcium channel blockers treat hypertension. There are several calcium channel blockers on the market, such as nifedipine (Procardia Aldalat), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), isradipine (DynaCirc), nicardinpine hydrochloride (Cardene), nisoldipine (Nisocor, Solar), and verapamil hydrochloride (Calan, Isotopin, Verelan), used to treat heart disease.
Other Medications
There are several other medications that are sometimes used in treating heart disease. The Mayo Clinic says cholesterol-modifying medications decrease cholesterol levels in the blood, thus decreasing the risk of plaque deposits in the coronary arteries. Nitroglycerin sprays, tablets, and patches opens up coronary arteries and reduces the heart’s demand for blood, according to the Mayo Clinic. Digitalis causes the heart to contract harder when the heart’s pumping function weakens, says the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. “Clot busting drugs”, also called thrombolytic, can be given to break up clots during a heart attack and restore blood flow throw the coronary artery. Diuretics, used to rid excess fluid from the body, treat high blood pressure.
About this Author
Annie McElfresh is a nurse by trade and an avid writer by night. Her background includes 10 years of experience in pain management, operating room, home health, and medical office management. She has completed two full-length novels, contributes to two blogs, and is a member of several writing forums.
