Lower Blood Pressure

Doubts have been raised over the value of taking Aspirin and low dose Aspirin for your heart, as scientists now believe a daily dose could do more harm than good. New research reveals that taking a daily aspirin to ward off heart attacks could do more harm than good!

What is a low dose Aspirin?

For many years we have been led to believe that taking a low dose of aspirin - typically 75mg per day, is beneficial for our heart health and in minimising the risk of developing a heart attack.  

A recent study conducted by Scottish Scientists however, has cast doubt over the benefit of aspirin as a simple, cheap heart medication.  A more in-depth analysis of this research though, reveals that this applies only to preventing a first heart attack, and that Aspirin is still effective at preventing a second or repeat heart attack. The study also highlighted though that taking aspirin does increase the risk of internal bleeding.

Aspirin and the Healthy Middle Aged

Many healthy middle-aged people, also known as the ‘worried well’, decide to take low dose aspirin as a precautionary measure, even though they currently have no symptoms of cardiovascular disease.

Aspirin effectiveness trial targets diabetes sufferers

The scientists’ claim follows a study of type 2 diabetes sufferers which discovered that regular daily doses of the medication apparently fails to prevent victims of type 2 diabetes suffering a first cardiac arrest. This group was chosen as Aspirin is widely prescribed to diabetics, who are at much greater risk of heart disease than the general population. However, the scientists also advised that those people already taking small daily doses of aspirin against giving it up without consulting their doctor. Professor Jill Belch, of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at Dundee University, Scotland, said: ‘If you’re taking aspirin for secondary prevention because you’ve had a heart attack or stroke, or have a circulatory problem, then it works’. ‘But it doesn’t work if you have none of these problems, and there is also no evidence for its use by healthy middle-aged people.’ She added, however: ‘We do not want people taking aspirin prescribed by their doctor to stop taking it without seeking medical advice. They may have conditions for which it is suitable.’ Around 2.3million Britons have type 2 diabetes, which is closely linked with growing levels of obesity, and they are up to five times more at risk of heart disease than the general population.

Aspirin’s established reputation in heart attack prevention

Aspirin does have an established reputation for reducing the risk of repeat heart attacks and stroke by up to a third. However, a major study suggests that diabetics who have not had a previous heart attack gain no benefit from a daily dose.  Professor Belch’s paper published recently in the British Medical Journal, involved 1,276 patients aged over 40 with diabetes and evidence of artery disease, who had not suffered a previous heart attack. It found after eight years that there was no overall benefit from either aspirin or antioxidant treatment in preventing heart attacks or death. Patients in the aspirin groups had 116 heart attacks compared with 117 in those given placebos. Professor Belch said there was widespread prescribing of aspirin in diabetes despite the lack of evidence to support it’s use. But studies show it can double the risk of stomach bleeding from an ulcer.

Side effects of Aspirin and low dose Aspirin treatments

‘Unfortunately aspirin has side effects and it’s one of the biggest reasons for admission to hospital for drug-related adverse reactions, mainly gastrointestinal bleeding. ‘Although the risk is relatively small, the numbers taking aspirin is large so it’s a major problem.’ Professor Belch said there was international opposition to the study, mainly because U.S. guidelines recommend routine use of aspirin in patients with type 2 diabetes and millions are taking it. ‘They were adamant that it was unethical to carry out this trial but I’m glad we persevered.’ She said clinical guidelines from various UK organisations recommending aspirin as primary prevention for diabetics should be changed. There has also been growing pressure for ‘blanket prescribing’ of aspirin in middle age, with a report only last month from Nottingham and Sheffield researchers suggesting most healthy men over the age of 48 and women over 57 would benefit from the drug. Research such as this has encouraged healthy middle-aged people to start taking aspirin bought over the counter without seeing a doctor - despite it not being recommended by any medical body. Aspirin is also an ingredient of the ‘ Polypill’, a single cheap multi-drug tablet being developed to slash the toll of heart attacks. But this one-size-fits-all approach might now have to be rethought, said Professor Rory Collins, of Oxford University, a pioneer of large-scale studies into the causes and treatment of heart attacks. His team is observing 10,000 diabetics who have been allocated daily aspirin or placebo, and has carried out a major analysis of existing studies. The findings show any small benefit from using aspirin in those who have not had heart attacks is outweighed by the risk of stomach bleeding, he said. ‘There has been a conflict between guidelines recommending the use of aspirin as primary prevention and the lack of evidence supporting this. ‘But a lot of GPs are following these guidelines. When we were recruiting for our study, we found practices where all diabetic patients were being prescribed aspirin. ‘The evidence is not there but the risk of bleeding is - and it goes up with age.’

New research indicates that Tea is a healthier drink than water

This is based on research carried out by Scientists from Kings College London, which has been published by the prestigious European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Tea is a rehydrator not a dehydrator!

There is a popular myth that drinking tea dehydrates your body. This has now been proven wrong by the research. In fact the opposite is true, and drinking tea can have a beneficial effect of rehydrating the water content of the body’s tissues.   

How much tea should I drink?

The study concluded that the optimum amount of tea should be three to four cups per day. Apparently, drinking this quantity of tea is just as good for you as drinking the same amount of water. In fact there may be additional benefits which are not available to avid water drinkers.

The secret ingredient of tea

Drinking plenty of tea may provide protection against heart disease and some forms of cancer. This is due to high content of ‘flavonoids’ in tea which have been shown to promote good health. Flavenoids are an anti-oxidant compound which have been found in certain foods, including tea, which neutralise the action of free radicals which are other compounds that circulate within the body causing damage to the cell structure.

Additional Health Benefits of drinking Tea

According to the lead author and Public health nutritionist, Doctor Carrie Ruxton plus her team of colleagues at Kings College London, drinking tea is actually better for you than drinking water. Water is essentially replacing fluid. Tea replaces fluids AND contains antioxidants so it’s got two things going for it.” It can actually reduce the chances of having a heart attack. Other studies have suggested that drinking tea can protect against cancer, although this effect is less proven.

Other health benefits seen included protection against tooth plaque and potentially tooth decay, due to the fluoride content in tea, plus bone strengthening.

Confusion over Caffeine

Studies carried out on the effects of caffeine on the body have found that very high doses of Caffeine can cause dehydration. Therefore many people assume that drinks containing caffeine must dehydrate the body. But even if you had a really, really strong cup of tea or coffee, which is quite hard to make, you would still have a net gain of fluid.

Are there any potential problems associated with tea drinking?

There is no evidence that drinking tea is in any way harmful to health. However, research indicates that tea can impair the body’s ability to absorb iron from food. This means that people who may be susceptible to anaemia should avoid drinking tea close to meal times.

Average tea consumption

So, just how much tea is drunk by the average person? Dr Ruxton’s team found that average tea consumption was just under three cups per day. She said the increasing popularity of soft drinks meant many younger people were not drinking as much tea as before. “Tea drinking is most common in older people, the 40 plus age range. In older people, tea sometimes made up about 70% of fluid intake so it is a really important contributor,” she said.

Drinking plenty of tea may provide protection against heart disease and some forms of cancer.

What is a Stroke?

A stroke - also known as a cerebrovascular accident, is defined as the result of an acute deprivation of blood to part of the brain by the narrowing or thrombosis of an artery. This causes damage to, or death of, brain cells which are starved of oxygen. Alternatively it may be a result of physical damage to the brain caused by bleeding or a haemorrhage. Where the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted for more than 24 hours - a stroke has occurred.

Stroke Symptoms

Strokes usually occur suddenly, and are unique to the individual, each one affecting a person in different ways, as different parts of the brain control different parts of the body. The main areas which may be affected are speaking, memory, swallowing and moving.

* weakness or paralysis down one side of the body
* numbness in the arms or legs
* loss of vision on one side
* weakness in the facial muscles & droop in the mouth
* slurred speech or speech difficult to understand
* involuntary turning of the eyes to one side
* difficulty swallowing
* loss of muscle coordination or balance
* Epileptic fit
* sudden onset of mental confusion

Different Types of Stroke

The most common form of Stroke is known as an Ischaemic Stroke. This is when a blood clot blocks one of the arteries carrying blood to the brain, and accounts for approximately 80% of all strokes.

Other types of Stroke are :-

Read the rest of this entry »

Drugs used to treat high blood pressure may significantly reduce the risk of developing Alzheimers Disease, or slow it’s development in existing sufferers,  according to a study which was revealed at the 2008 Chicago conference on Alzheimers Disease.

Alzheimers is a terminal brain disease which was discovered early last century by the German Physician Alois Alzheimer. This devastating illness currently affects over 5 million people in the United States, and costs the national economy nearly $150 billion per year. It is now the sixth leading cause of death in the US.

Alzheimers causes the death of brain cells which leads to loss of memory and intellect, dementia, and eventually death. The progressive nature of Alzheimers causes a distressing deterioration in quality of life, as problems with memory, cognition and behaviour accelerate.

Dementia is defined as a loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life, of which Alzheimers is the primary cause. Another common form of dementia - Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to parts of the brain. When the two types occur together this is known as mixed dementia.

As there is currently no cure for Alzheimers, any news such as that from the conference is to be welcomed, as a potential new weapon in the fight against this devastating condition.

The connection between Alzheimers and High Blood Pressure was highlighted by Professor Clive Ballard of the Alzheimers Society who said that ‘high blood pressure doubles the risk of developing Alzheimers, and also increases the risk of stroke‘. It is known that Alzheimers is linked to damaged arteries, and the presence of a type of protein deposit in the brain.

Read the rest of this entry »

What is Pericarditis?

Pericarditis is a condition where the Pericardium, which is a double layered thin sac or membrane which surrounds the heart, becomes inflamed or irritated. This causes a certain type of chest pain.

The purpose of the Pericardium is to lubricate and surround the heart, keeping it secure and preventing sudden movements from damaging it. It is a double layered membrane, with fluid between the two layers, which acts as a shock absorber to the heart structure. It also helps to prevent infection or disease from adjacent tissue.

Different types of Pericarditis

Acute Pericarditis

Acute Pericarditis indicates that the condition occurs quickly, and usually does not last long.

Chronic pericarditis

Chronic Pericarditis means that it develops over time and may take longer to treat.

Constrictive Pericarditis

This is a condition where the Pericardium becomes very thick and scarred.

Who is likely to suffer from Pericarditis?

Anyone can potentially suffer from pericarditis, but the condition is most often experienced by young or middle aged men, typically in the 20-50 year old age range.

What causes Pericarditis?

The pain of pericarditis is caused by a constriction of the heart muscle. This is due to an increase in the amount of fluid which is contained between the inner and outer membrane of the Pericardium.

Read the rest of this entry »

If you love Spaghetti Bolgnese but you are concerned about your heart health, then why not check out this authentic Italian Recipe which we at Lower Blood Pressure have modified to be especially nutritious, and heart healthy without losing any of the taste!

Why is this Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe so Heart friendly?

When you go to a restaurant you usually don’t have a clue as to what goes into your food. Many restaurant meals are high in salt, fat and sugar. That’s fine for some folks, but if you want to know what you’re eating then our advice is to make it yourself, and then you know exactly what’s in it - and you can enjoy it knowing you’re not clogging your arteries with loads of saturated fat. This recipe wins healthy points for people concerned about their heart because:-

• It uses fresh natural ingredients
• The minced steak has all the excess fat removed and so is extremely low in fat
• The cooking oil used is Cholesterol free - Red Palm and Canola Oil
• The cheese used is a special type of mature flavoured cheddar which actually reduces cholesterol
• It uses fresh chili peppers and garlic which are reputed to have beneficial effects on heart health   

Ingredients

If you assemble the following ingredients, you will have enough Spaghetti Bolognaise for 4 servings:-

• 10 cloves of Garlic, chopped
• 4 Tablespoons of Red Palm and Canola Oil 
• 4 medium red onions, chopped
• 1 pound of sirloin steak, all fat removed, then ground in meat grinder 
• 1 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
• 10 Fresh tomatoes, chopped
• 400 gram can of chopped tomatoes (100% tomatoes, no additives)
• 10 medium sized mushrooms, chopped
• 1 red chili pepper, chopped
• 1 green chili pepper, chopped
• 1 or 2 low sodium Beef Stock Cubes
• 2 Tablespoons of mixed herbs (Thyme, Marjoram, Sage, Parsley and Oregano)
• Fresh Basil leaves for garnish 
• 65 grams per person of ‘Minicol’ cholesterol reducing cheese 

Cooking Instructions

It makes cooking a lot easier if you prepare all the ingredients first and line them up next to the stove. You can see in the photo that all the excess fat on the steak has been removed, for the leanest minced steak possible

The steak is then put through the meat grinder, to make the perfect home made minced steak.

Read the rest of this entry »

What is Angina?

Angina is a common condition which, according to the British Heart Foundation affects about two percent of the UK population. It is important to note that angina is not a heart attack. Angina, or Angina Pectoris to give it it’s proper title is a specific type of chest pain, discomfort or tightness in the chest that is caused by a lack of oxygen being supplied to the heart, due to a reduction in the flow of blood to the heart. It may also be accompanied by shortage of breath or even a feeling of choking. It is usually a symptom of coronary heart disease or coronary artery disease, and may indicate an increased risk of heart attack Difference between Angina and Heart Attack.

A Heart Attack or Myocardial Infarction (MI) occurs when a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, and the heart muscle supplied by that artery will die unless the blockage is quickly removed. The pain of a heart attack is more severe and prolonged than angina and cannot be relieved by the usual angina treatments. If you are having a heart attack, you may also feel sick, breathless and sweaty, and may vomit. Sometimes, however, there are no symptoms at all.

Causes of Angina

Angina is caused by a shortfall in the demand by the heart for blood supplied from the coronary arteries. These are the two main arteries by which oxygen and nutrient rich blood enters the heart to supply the requirements of the beating heart muscle. When a person suffers from coronary artery disease

Atherosclerosis the arteries become narrowed over time by fatty deposits known as plaques or Atheroma. This narrowing of the arteries restricts the flow of incoming blood, and the reaction of the heart is to cause a pain in the chest. Angina pain tends to manifest itself when an extra load is placed on the heart, for example by climbing stairs, running, or other strenuous exercise. It is also sometimes experienced after eating a heavy meal.

There are also pyschological causes, or aggravating factors which may trigger or worsen an attack of angina including anger, stress or other psychological or emotional trauma.

Different types of Angina

There are three main types of angina:

1. Stable Angina

This type of angina is usually triggered by physical activity, and occurs as a result of the coronary arteries being unable to supply sufficient blood to meet the demands of the additional activity, due to their narrowing, which restricts the flow of blood at times of peak demand. This type of angina pain usually lasts for only a few minutes and then goes away when the physical activity is reduced to ‘normal’ levels. However, if the activity is resumed, then the pain usually returns. This type of angina usually builds up gradually, and does not normally lead to instant life threatening situations, unless early symptoms are ignored.

2. Unstable angina

Unstable angina is a type of angina pain that is triggered by only a small amount of physical activity, or by no physical activity whatsoever. The cause is still related to a narrowing of the coronary arteries, but this may be due to a transient event such as a blood clot or a piece of dislodged plaque causing a sudden extrem narrowing of an artery.This type of angina leads to a greater risk of an imminent heart attack than stable angina. Unstable Angina is a medical emergency, and the only safe course of action is to seek emergency medical treatment.

3. Variant angina

This is a less common type of angina than the stable and unstable types. It usually occurs without warning, and for a different reason, being caused by a ’spasm’ of a coronary artery, similar to a muscle spasm. It is a difficult condition to diagnose, often requiring more complex investigation, and possibly involving other symptoms such as erratic heart beart or Arrythmia.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Angina

The symptoms of Angina are primarily pain in the chest, which may spread to the neck throat and arms. These may also be accompanied by additional symptoms such as nausea, loss of breath, sweating and a feeling or dread or fear.

When a patient complains of chest pain, their physician will inevitably attempt to rule out trivial causes such as muscle strain, excessive coughing, or physical injury.

Combined with an examination of the patients medical history, age, lifestyle and risk factors. Angina may then be suspected as a possible cause.

However, the physician will usually also examine the patient’s medical history, ask for a detailed description of the pain and carry out a comprehensive physical examination involving some simple tests:-

• Tests for blood pressure and heart rate
• Tests for pulse rate in the legs
• Examination of the ankles for swelling
• Listening to the heart rhythm using the stethoscope
• Examination of any physical symptoms of high blood pressure
• Testing of cholesterol levels
• Testing for or anaemia.

More complex diagnostic tests may then need to be performed to confirm the diagnosis of angina, including:-

• Exercise-ECG (electrocardiograph)
• Blood tests for diabetes or anaemia
• Chest X-ray
• Echocardiogram
• Coronary angiogram

Who is likely to suffer from Angina?

The following facts may help to understand who is likely to develop angina:-

Angina is more common in men than women
Older people are more likely to develop the condition than younger people
Smoking may lead to Angina
High Cholesterol may lead to angina
High blood Pressure may cause the condition
Sedentary lifestyle with little or no exercise is a risk factor
Diabetes Mellitus sufferers are vulnerable to the condition
People who are overweight are also at risk
Family history increases the risk of developing angina

Treatments for Angina

There are three different types of treatment for Angina - Lifestyle Changes, Medication and Surgical Intervention.

Note - Unstable angina is a medical emergency which requires immediate medical treatment in a hospital, due to the risk of an immediate heart attack. A single 300mg dose of aspirin is usually administered to the patient as a precautionary measure against the enlargement of any blood clot in the coronary arteries. Other Anticoagulants (medicines that prevent the clotting of the blood) such as heparin, as well intravenous (by injection into a vein) nitrates and beta-blockers may also be necessary.

Lifestyle Changes to treat Angina

These are generally within the control of the patient and may prevent future angina problems or a worsening of the condition, or even a heart attack.

The top ten lifestyle changes are :-

• Stopping Smoking
• Losing weight, if overweight or obese
• Reducing blood cholesterol
• Changing diet to a low-fat, high-fibre diet, rich in fruit and vegetables and oily fish
• Stress reduction
• Drinking alcohol in moderation
• Taking regular exercise under the advice of your physician
• Attending regular health check-ups with your physician
• Lowering your blood pressure
• If you have diabetes, you should aim to closely control your blood sugar levels, as advised by your nurse or doctor.

Medication for Angina

Angina medication falls into two categories - immediate relief from symptoms, and treatment for the the longer term.

Immediate Treatments for Angina

The purpose of immediate treatment is to provide rapid pain relief and to prevent the recurrence of angina pains, as much as can be achieved. The following treatments may be administered to provide rapid relief of the symptoms of angina:-

• Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is a quick acting nitrate that is prescribed to provide pain relief before, or during angina attacks. It comes as a oral spray or in tablet form, and is usually taken at the start of an angina attack. GTN is effective in relaxing the coronary arteries so that more blood can flow through them and reach the heart muscle, but the benefit only lasts for a short period of time.
• Aspirin. If you have unstable angina, you will probably be given aspirin as soon as you are admitted to hospital, to help stop your blood from clotting and prevent a heart attack.
• Heparin. This is another medicine that prevents the blood from clotting. You will probably be given a heparin if you have unstable angina, while you are in hospital.

Long-term treatment for the prevention of Angina attacks

Under the care of a physician or heart surgeon, one or more of the following long term treatments for angina may be prescribed:-

• Low Dose Aspirin. You will probably be prescribed a small daily dose of aspirin if you have stable angina, as it lowers the risk of having a heart attack. However, aspirin increases your risk of stomach problems such as ulcers or indigestion, so it is not suitable for some patients. Ask your GP for advice about whether you should take aspirin.
• Beta-blockers (eg atenolol, bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, sotalol). These slow your heart rate and the pumping power of the heart. This reduces your heart’s demand foroxygen. Beta-blockers aren’t suitable for people with asthma.
• Long-acting nitrates (eg isosorbide mononitrate, isosorbide dinitrate). These widen the coronary arteries to improve blood flow to the heart. They are available as tablets or patches. Although they do not provide relief as quickly as GTN, there effects are much longer lasting.
• Calcium-channel blockers (eg amlodipine, felodipine, diltiazem, nicardipine, nifedipine, verapamil). These relax the coronary arteries and other blood vessels, and reduce the force of the contraction of the heart.
• Statins (for example, atorvastatin, fluvastatin, pravastatin, rosuvastatin and simvastatin) lower the blood cholesterol level by preventing cholesterol from being made in the liver. Generally, the higher the blood cholesterol level, the greater the risk of developing atheroma or plaques (fatty deposits) in the arteries. The aim is to reduce the total blood cholesterol level to below 4 mmol/l or by 25% of the original blood level - whichever gives the greatest reduction.
• Potassium-channel activators (eg nicorandil). These relax coronary arteries to increase blood flow.
  Statins (eg simvastatin). These help reduce your cholesterol level, preventing fatty deposits in your coronary arteries from building up further.

Surgical Intervention for Angina

For people with severe angina, the best treatment may be surgery or angioplasty.

Angioplasty

Angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI) uses a miniature collapsed balloon, which is threaded through the blood vessels until it reaches the arteries of the heart. The balloon is inflated to widen the blocked coronary artery. A stent (flexible mesh tube) is sometimes inserted to help keep the artery open after the operation.

Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)

This is a surgical procedure where healthy blood Vessels from the legs or chest are used to bypass the artery blockage. This creates a new channel through which the blood can be

directed past the blocked part of the artery. As a result, more blood can reach the heart muscle. It is classed as a type of open-heart surgery and therefore is more complex,

and requires a longer stay in hospital. Due to the dependency of the location of the narrowed artery, not all angina patients are suitable for CABG.

Click Here to return to Home Page

Definition of Heart Failure

Heart failure, also known as Cardiac failure is a serious condition which is caused by the heart’s inability to pump sufficient blood around the body. The reduced efficiency is usually a result of other factors which have caused damage to the heart, rather than a disease of the heart itself. It should not be confused with Acute Heart Failure which is the instant failure of the heart due to a heart attack.

Causes of Heart Failure There are various causes for the condition, the most common being damage to the heart muscle, possibly due to a previous heart attack. Other causes may be :-

• Coronary artery disease
• High blood pressure (Hypertension)
• Excessive Alcohol consumption
• Disorders of the heart valves
• Cardiomyopathy
• Pericarditis
• Viral infections
• Other conditions which may place an excessive workload on the heart

The problem is that because the heart has to work harder to compensate for it’s lack of efficiency, its pumping ability is further damaged, which leads to a vicious cycle of failure, and increased likelihood of complete pumping failure and death.

Who is likely to suffer from Heart failure?

The likelihood of experiencing heart failure increases with age. Between the ages of 35 and 64, only 4 percent of new cases are diagnosed annually, rising to 10 percent over the age of 65. In the United States there are over 5 million people who have the condition, with more than a half million new cases being diagnosed every year.

Additionally, the incidence of heart failure shows an upward trend, mainly due to an aging population, combined with advances in treatment for other heart conditions, which would otherwise have resulted in Cardiac patients dying before the onset of heart failure.

Diagnosing the Symptoms of Heart failure

As the heart begins to fail, various changes occur within the body in response to the changes associated with the failing heart. In the early stages these may not produce any abnormal symptoms, but as the failure gets progressively worse the body may exhibit increasingly severe reactions as it attempts to compensate for the lack of oxygen rich blood due to the failure of the heart to pump sufficient quantities. These may include :-

• Breathlessness
• Tiredness
• Swollen feet and ankles
• Anorexia
• Nausea

If you are suffering from any of the above symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you have blood tests, and possibly a heart diagnostic test such as an Electrocardiogram (ECG). Combined with a thorough examination of your medical history, the Doctor will be able to confirm or rule out the likelihood of Cardiac failure.

Treatment for Heart Failure

It is important to note that currently there is no cure for Cardiac failure, and statistics from the United Kingdom indicate that mortality rates are high, with 50 percent of patients dying after 5 years. There are two main treatments for Heart failure - medication, and lifestyle changes.

Medication prescription will be under the care of the Doctor or Heart specialist, and may include combination treatments of ACE Inhibitors, Beta Blockers, Diuretics, and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers.

For more information on the different types of heart disease medications please click here

There are also many common sense lifestyle recommendations that everyone should follow, regardless of whether they are suffering from Heart failure or not, or whether they want to reduce the risk of developing the condition later in life. These may be summarised as follows :-

• Stop Smoking
• Keep alcohol consumption within reasonable limits
• Maintain the correct body weight
• Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables as part of a balanced diet
• Reduce salt intake
• Maintain an active lifestyle, under ther guidance of your Doctor
• Monitor your total intake of fluids
• Take regular rest and relaxation periods to reduce demand on the heart (if you are already a sufferer)
• Avoid stress

 
Click here to return to Home Page

What are the different types of Heart Disease Medications? If you have coronary heart disease (CHD) or are at risk of developing it, your health care professional may prescribe medication to treat your condition, lower your blood cholesterol, or help you to lower your blood pressure    

  But have you wondered why there are so many different types of heart medication available, and what the differences between them are? This article briefly lists the main categories and what types of treatment they are used for. It is important to understand that whilst heart medications can reduce the risk of having a first or repeat heart attack, you should always look for the underlying causes, with a view to changing your lifestyle if this is a causative factor.   You should also make sure that any medication is taken strictly according to the instructions, as directed by your Physician. Categories of Drugs used to treat CHD include:

• ACE Inhibitors
• Aspirin
• Beta Blockers
• Blood Cholesterol Lowering (LDL)
• Calcium Channel Blockers
• Digitalis
• Diuretics
• Nitrates
• Thrombolytic Agents

ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme) inhibitor

This type of drug stops the narrowing of the blood vessels by inhibiting the production of a chemical that causes the condition. This makes it a suitable choice for the control of high blood pressure and also where there has been damage to the heart muscle. Following a heart attack, it may be prescribed to improve the circulation and help the heart to pump blood. It is also used for persons with heart failure, a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to supply the body’s needs.

An example of this type of drug is Perindopril, which is commonly available under the brand name Aceon.
You can find a review of this medication here: Aceon

Aspirin

This is a commonly available non-prescription medicine that has been shown to lower the risk of a heart attack, especially for patients who have previously suffered from one. It can also assist in keeping the arteries open after heart bypass or similar artery-opening operations such as coronary angioplasty. However Aspirin does have associated risks, and so is not recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration to prevent heart attacks in otherwise healthy individuals. 

Beta Blocker

This works by reducing nerve impulses to the heart and blood vessels. This slows down the heart rate, and makes it beat with less contracting force, so blood pressure drops and the heart works less hard. It is used to lower high blood pressure, treat chest pain, and to prevent a repeat heart attack.

An example of this type of drug is Metoprolol, which is commonly available under the brand name Toprol-XL.
You can find a review of this medication here: Toprol-XL

Blood cholesterol-lowering (LDL)

There are different types of Blood Cholesterol medicine 

• lipid- and cholesterol-modifying medicine
  • This reduces triglycerides and increases cholesterol carried in high density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. HDL cholesterol is sometimes called “good” cholesterol because higher concentrations of HDL cholesterol in the blood are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. The decrease in triglycerides is thought to be due in part to reduced release of triglycerides from fat tissue in the body.
  • An example of this type of drug is Gemfibrozil which is commonly available under the brand name Lopid
• Statins
  • This type successfully decreases the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol in the blood (by up to 60%). This is due to the inhibiting of an enzyme in the body, HMG-CoA Reductase, which controls the rate of cholesterol production by the body itself. They also allow the liver to increase it’s natural ability to remove the LDL Cholesterol from the blood.
  • There are currently five statin drugs on the market in the United States: lovastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin, fluvastatin, and atorvastatin

Calcium Channel Blocker

Has the effect of relaxing the blood vessels, and is used for the treatment of high blood pressure and chest pain. The cells of the heart contract in order to pump blood into the arteries. This requires calcium which passes into the cells via tiny ‘channels’. Calcium-channel blockers reduce the amount of calcium that goes into these muscle cells, causing them to relax. The effect widens the arteries which helps to lower the blood pressure.

An example of this type of drug is Verapamil, which is also commonly available under the brand name Verapamil.

Digitalis

makes the heart contract harder and is used when the heart’s pumping function has been weakened; it also slows some fast heart rhythms.

An example of this type of drug is Digoxin which is commonly available under the brand name Lanoxin.

Diuretic

Diuretics decrease the fluid level in the body and are used to treat high blood pressure. They are often referred to as “water pills.” because they work by increasing the amount of fluid and salt that is passed in the urine. This has some effect on reducing the fluid in the circulation which reduces blood pressure. They may also have a ‘relaxing’ effect on the blood vessels which reduces the pressure within the blood vessels. Only a low dose of a diuretic is needed to treat high blood pressure. Therefore, the diuretic effect is not particularly noticeable.

An example of this type of drug is Losartan used in combination with Hydrochlorothiazide, which is commonly available under the brand name Hyzaar. You can find a review of this medication here: Hyzaar

Nitrates (including nitroglycerine)

An angina pain develops if part of the heart muscle does not get as much blood and oxygen as it needs. (Blood flow to heart muscle is restricted because the coronary arteries are narrowed.) Nitrates mainly work by relaxing the blood vessels in the body. This causes them to dilate (widen) - Vasodilation. This then makes it easier for the heart to pump blood and reduces the ’strain’ on the heart. This means the heart muscle does not need as much blood and oxygen supply.

An example of this type of drug is Prazosin which is commonly available under the brand name Minipress. You can find a review of this medication here: Minipress

Thrombolytic agents

These are also called “clot busting drugs,” they are given during a heart attack to break up a blood clot in a coronary artery in order to restore blood flow.

An example of this type of drug is Clopidogrel Bisulfate, which is commonly available under the brand name Plavix.
You can find a review of this medication here:

As with all types of drugs, heart drugs can cause side effects. If side effects occur, report them to your doctor. Often, a change in the dose or type of a medication, or the use of a combination of drugs can reduce or eliminate the side effect.