Treatment of heart failure requires a cooperative partnership of the patient and the health care team. Because this is a chronic lifelong problem, adjustments will need to be made frequently to keep the heart pumping as effectively as possible. The clinician relies on the patient to make observations of changes in symptoms and body weight.

It is very helpful for you to know the names, doses and schedule for your medications. Carrying a list with you in your wallet or purse will help your health care providers make adjustments based on what you are currently taking. Allowing oneself to run out of medications may be life threatening! Try to keep at least a seven day supply on hand and give your pharmacist several days to obtain refill orders.

Medications are used to block the body alarm messages and to help promote effective heart pumping. There are several types of medications commonly used.

ACE inhibitors

ACE stands for Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors. These medications are vasodilators that help the keep the blood vessels from narrowing and driving the blood pressure up. The lower pressure helps enable the blood to move out of the heart so that the weakened muscles do not have to pump as hard. In large scale clinical trials of both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, ACE inhibitors have been shown to improve quality of life and prolong survival.

Diuretics

These medications enhance urine output to help alleviate the fluid overload. Potassium supplements may be used with some diuretics that cause the body to lose potassium with the extra fluid.

Digoxin

This medication is used to help the heart muscle pump more forcefully which helps the blood flow out of the heart and around to the body cells that need the oxygen and nutrients. It is also used for people that have rapid or irregular heartbeats.

Beta-blockers

These medications are used to prevent the heart rate from speeding up and to help lower the blood pressure so that the heart can pump the blood out to the body against less resistance.

Spironolactone

This medication has recently been noted to help block the alarm messages that the kidneys send out and may help slow the disease process when used along with ACE Inhibitor medications.

Refer to the PAMF Consumer Drug Guide (guide is part of the Sutter Health Web site) for additional educational information.

You should always consult your pharmacist or doctor if you have any particular questions about the medicine(s) that you are taking -- such as their side-effects and interaction with other medications.

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