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— Written By Sarah Lewis, PharmD Updated on August 25, 2021 Heart failure is a common condition affecting about 5.7 million people in the United States. It occurs when the heart muscle becomes damaged and can’t pump blood as well as it should. This means the body’s tissues can’t get enough oxygen-rich blood. Symptoms of heart failure are due to this lack of oxygen. This can include swelling of the feet and ankles (edema), fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, weakness, and unexplained weight gain. Heart failure is a common complication of heart attack. However, other types of heart disease can also lead to this chronic condition. This includes high blood pressure, heart valve disorders, arrhythmias, and heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy). Heart failure treatment focuses on managing these underlying diseases and improving symptoms. Medications play a key role in achieving these treatment goals. Classes of Medications for Heart FailureDoctors use a variety of medicines to manage heart failure. This includes drugs that reduce the heart’s workload, help the heart pump more blood, and reduce fluid buildup in the body. Your doctor may also recommend drugs to prevent blood clots and reduce cholesterol. Most people with heart failure take more than one medication. Classes of heart failure drugs include:
To help doctors choose the best treatment, they follow expert guidelines and recommendations. Your doctor will consider your symptoms, test results, and stage of heart failure. After starting treatment, your doctor will monitor your
response. It may be necessary to adjust your dose, change drugs, or add another drug for optimal treatment. Common Heart Failure MedicationsYour doctor has more choices to make within each class of heart failure medicine. Finding the right one for you may involve some trial and error. Here are 10 drugs commonly prescribed for heart failure:
There are several other options available for treating heart failure. Talk with your doctor if you are having side effects or other problems with your current treatment. It may be possible to switch to another drug and get better results. Remember, medication is part of a comprehensive treatment plan that also includes lifestyle habits and possibly physical therapy. Researchers continue to study new ways to treat heart failure. Several pharmaceutical companies have drugs in development with new ways of acting. Talk with your doctor if you want information about clinical trials. Your doctor can help you decide if it is right for you. What is a commonly prescribed drug for congestive heart failure?There are many different types of diuretic, but the most widely used for heart failure are furosemide (also called frusemide) and bumetanide.
Can congestive heart failure be treated with medication?Doctors usually treat heart failure with a combination of medications. Depending on your symptoms, you might take one or more medications, including: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These drugs relax blood vessels to lower blood pressure, improve blood flow and decrease the strain on the heart.
What is the best treatment for congestive heart failure?Treatment. Vasodilators expand blood vessels, ease blood flow, and reduce blood pressure.. Diuretics correct fluid retention.. Aldosterone inhibitors help with fluid retention and improve chances of living longer.. ACE inhibitors or ARB drugs improve heart function and life expectancy.. What is the first drug of choice for congestive heart failure?Digoxin has been the traditional first drug of choice for CHF, but with protracted controversy about its efficacy and safety.
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