Links to Congestive Heart Failure
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/symptoms-causes/syc-20373142
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17069-heart-failure-understanding-heart-failure
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-failure/treatment-options-for-heart-failure/medications-used-to-treat-heart-failure
- https://medlineplus.gov/heartfailure.html
How can I Prevent Heart Failure?
Although you can’t control some risk factors like age, family history or race, you can change your lifestyle to give yourself the best chance of preventing heart failure. Things you can do include:
- Staying at a healthy weight.
- Eating foods that are good for your heart.
- Exercising regularly.
- Managing your stress.
- Stopping the use of tobacco products.
- Not drinking alcohol.
- Not using recreational drugs.
- Taking care of other medical conditions you have that can increase your risk.
Medications Used to Treat Congestive Heart Failure
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
Commonly prescribed include:
- Captopril (Capoten)
- Enalapril (Vasotec)
- Fosinopril (Monopril)
- Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
- Perindopril (Aceon)
- Quinapril (Accupril)
- Ramipril (Altace)
- Trandolapril (Mavik)
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (or Inhibitors)
(Also known as ARBs or Angiotensin-2 Receptor Antagonists)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Candesartan (Atacand)
- Losartan (Cozaar)
- Valsartan (Diovan)
Angiotensin-Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitors (ARNIs)
ARNIs are a new drug combination of a neprilysin inhibitor and an ARB.
- Sacubitril/valsartan
If Channel Blocker (or inhibitor)
This drug class reduces the heart rate, similar to another class of drugs called beta blockers.
- Ivabradine (Corlanor)
Beta Blockers (Also known as Beta-Adrenergic Blocking Agents)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- Metoprolol succinate (Toprol XL)
- Carvedilol (Coreg)
- Carvedilol CR (Coreg CR) Toprol XL
Aldosterone Antagonists
Commonly prescribed include:
- Spironolactone (Aldactone)
- Eplerenone (Inspra)
Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (specifically benefits African-Americans with heart failure)
Commonly prescribed:
- Hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate (combination drug) – (Bidil)
Diuretics (Also known as water pills)
Commonly prescribed include:
- Furosemide (Lasix)
- Bumetanide (Bumex)
- Torsemide (Demadex)
- Chlorothiazide (Diuril)
- Amiloride (Midamor Chlorthalidone (Hygroton)
- Hydrochlorothiazide or HCTZ (Esidrix, Hydrodiuril)
- Indapamide (Lozol)
- Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
- Triamterene (Dyrenium)
What this type of medication does:
- Causes the body to rid itself of excess fluids and sodium through urination.
- Helps to relieve the heart’s workload.
- Decreases the buildup of fluid in the lungs and other parts of the body, such as the ankles and legs. Different diuretics remove fluid at varied rates and through different methods.
Other medications that might be prescribed
Your doctor may also prescribe other less commonly used drugs depending on your additional health problems. These drugs include:
- Anticoagulants (*blood thinners): These drugs may be prescribed if you are a heart failure patient with atrial fibrillation or have another problem with your heart. Anticoagulants are not used to treat heart failure without the presence of atrial fibrillation.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins): Your doctor may prescribe this class of medication if you have high cholesterol or have had a heart attack. This class of drugs is not used to treat heart failure, but other conditions as indicated.
- Digoxin: Some heart failure patients might be prescribed this drug if the doctor feels it’s warranted.