Medicine: Nitroglycerin
Specialty: Vasodilator medication
How it Works: Nitroglycerin relaxes and widens blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the heart and reducing chest pain (angina).
Effectiveness: Nitroglycerin provides rapid relief from angina symptoms and can prevent angina attacks when taken before physical activity or exposure to triggers.
Side Effects: Common side effects of nitroglycerin include headache, dizziness, flushing, and low blood pressure. It may also cause tolerance with long-term use.
Dosage: Nitroglycerin is available in various forms, including sublingual tablets, sprays, and patches. Dosage and frequency of administration depend on the severity and frequency of angina attacks.
Medicine: ACE Inhibitors
Specialty: Heart failure medication
How it Works: ACE inhibitors block the production of angiotensin II, a hormone that constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure. This helps reduce blood pressure and improve heart function.
Effectiveness: ACE inhibitors are effective in improving symptoms, reducing hospitalizations, and prolonging survival in patients with congestive heart failure.
Side Effects: Common side effects of ACE inhibitors include cough, low blood pressure, and kidney dysfunction. They may also cause hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) and angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, or throat).
Dosage: Dosage of ACE inhibitors varies depending on the specific medication, the severity of heart failure, and individual patient factors.
Medicine: Amiodarone
Specialty: Antiarrhythmic medication
How it Works: Amiodarone stabilizes the heart‘s electrical activity, preventing or controlling abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias).
Effectiveness: Amiodarone is effective in treating a wide range of arrhythmias, including atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, and supraventricular tachycardia.
Side Effects: Common side effects of amiodarone include lung toxicity, thyroid problems, liver toxicity, and skin discoloration. It may also cause rare but serious side effects such as pulmonary fibrosis and optic neuropathy.
Dosage: Dosage of amiodarone varies depending on the type and severity of the arrhythmia, as well as individual factors such as age and overall health.
Medicine: Statins
Specialty: Lipid-lowering medication
How it Works: Statins inhibit the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, reducing the production of cholesterol and promoting the removal of LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Effectiveness: Statins are highly effective in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis progression and cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke.
Side Effects: Common side effects of statins include muscle pain, liver enzyme abnormalities, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Rare but serious side effects may include muscle damage (rhabdomyolysis) and increased risk of diabetes.
Dosage: Dosage of statins varies depending on the specific medication, individual cholesterol levels, and cardiovascular risk factors.