About-Cardio
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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding Heart Failure Medication
Introduction
Heart failure is a chronic condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. Proper management with medications can improve quality of life and prevent complications.
Goals of Medication Treatment
The primary goals of treatment include: - Reducing symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue. - Slowing down disease progression. - Preventing hospitalizations. - Improving survival.
Main Classes of Heart Failure Medications
1. Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
- Examples: Lisinopril, Enalapril, Ramipril
- Function: Helps relax blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and reducing heart strain.
- Side Effects: Cough, low blood pressure, kidney dysfunction.
2. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Examples: Losartan, Valsartan, Candesartan
- Function: Used when ACE inhibitors are not tolerated, ARBs help relax blood vessels.
3. Beta-Blockers
- Examples: Carvedilol, Metoprolol, Bisoprolol
- Function: Slows heart rate and reduces workload, improving long-term survival.
- Side Effects: Fatigue, dizziness, low blood pressure.
4. Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists (MRAs)
- Examples: Spironolactone, Eplerenone
- Function: Helps remove excess fluid and prevents potassium loss.
- Side Effects: High potassium, kidney issues.
5. Diuretics
- Examples: Furosemide, Torsemide
- Function: Reduces fluid buildup, decreasing symptoms of swelling and breathlessness.
- Side Effects: Dehydration, low potassium.
6. SGLT2 Inhibitors (For heart failure with reduced ejection fraction)
- Examples: Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin
- Function: Initially used for diabetes, now proven to benefit heart failure by reducing hospitalization risk.
- Side Effects: Increased risk of infections.
Conclusion
Heart failure management requires a combination of medications tailored to individual needs. It's essential to follow medical advice and attend regular check-ups.
Source recommendations
1. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) Heart Failure Guidelines
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001063
- https://www.acc.org/Guidelines
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2023.12.024
- https://www.acc.org/education-and-meetings/products-and-resources/features/global-cv-institute/heart-failure-guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35363499/
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the diagnosis & treatment of acute & chronic heart failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34447992/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-and-Chronic-Heart-Failure
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22611136/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/36/3599/6358045
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Focused-Update-on-Heart-Failure-Guidelines
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
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Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.