Medications for a Healthy Heart, Including Anti Anginal Drugs

By Megan Sessums, Pharmacist Resident, 2014-2015, BHMC-Little Rock

February may be known for heart-shaped candy boxes, but it’s also American Heart Month, according to the American Heart Association. It’s a time to raise awareness about heart disease.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the U.S., causing nearly 600,000 deaths each year.

Heart disease (also called cardiovascular disease) is a term for conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, lack of exercise, unhealthy diet, stress, family history of heart disease and older age. Some risk factors, like age and family history, can’t be changed. But making small lifestyle changes can lower your risk for cardiovascular disease.

For people already diagnosed with heart disease, living a healthy lifestyle and taking prescribed medications can help stop the disease from getting worse. This includes medicines such as anti anginal drugs, ACE inhibitors, ARBs, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, beta blockers, anti-platelets and anticoagulants.

Anti Anginal Drugs

Angina is chest pain. Anti anginal drugs are medicines that help reduce chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. They work by improving oxygen supply to the heart muscle or reducing its workload. Common anti anginal drugs include nitrates, some beta blockers and certain calcium channel blockers. Doctors may prescribe anti anginal drugs along with other heart medications to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. If you have angina, your doctor will decide which anti anginal drugs are best for your condition.

ACE Inhibitors

ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure by relaxing and widening the blood vessels. Examples include benazepril, captopril, enalapril, lisinopril and ramipril. These medicines treat high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney problems in people with diabetes and prevent more heart damage after a heart attack. A common side effect is a dry cough.

ARBs

ARBs work like ACE inhibitors but block certain chemicals that tighten blood vessels. Examples are candesartan, irbesartan, losartan, olmesartan and valsartan. They may be given to people who can’t take ACE inhibitors.

Diuretics

Diuretics, or “water pills,” help the body remove extra salt and fluid, making it easier for the heart to pump. Examples include chlorthalidone, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone and spironolactone. Side effects may include low sodium, dizziness, headaches, thirst and muscle cramps.

Calcium Channel Blockers

Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) reduce calcium in heart cells, relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. Examples are amlodipine, nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem. CCBs treat high blood pressure, irregular heart rhythms and chest pain. In fact, some CCBs are considered anti anginal drugs because they help prevent angina (chest pain) by increasing blood flow to the heart.

Beta Blockers

Beta blockers lower blood pressure by reducing the effects of adrenaline. Examples include atenolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, propranolol and nebivolol. They can treat high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heart rhythms, migraines and are often used as anti anginal drugs to help with chest pain.

Antiplatelet Agents

Antiplatelets, like aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel and ticagrelor, prevent blood clots. Aspirin is often prescribed to prevent strokes and heart attacks.

Anticoagulants

Anticoagulants, such as warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, prevent blood from clotting. They help lower the risk of stroke in people with atrial fibrillation and treat clots in the legs or lungs.

The Bottom Line

Whether you take anti anginal drugs or other medications, the goal is the same: to manage heart disease and prevent it from getting worse. Medications, combined with healthy lifestyle choices, give people with heart disease the best chance to live longer and healthier lives.