Medication

Following a cardiac event, you will be prescribed some or all of the following
medication to reduce your risk of having another cardiac event. This is called secondary prevention medication. You will get the benefits for as long as you take them, so you may be on these medications for life. These medications include Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Beta Blockers, ACE Inhibitors and Cholesterol Lowering Medication(Statins). Even when you feel better you will still benefit from taking these medications.

Aspirin (Anti platelet)

Aspirin reduces the risk of your blood clotting in the blood vessels supplying your heart muscle. You should take your aspirin with food to reduce the risk of it causing irritation to the lining of your stomach.

Clopidogrel (Anti platelet)

Clopidogrel can be used instead of Aspirin if there is a reason that you are not able to take Aspirin. It may also be used as well as Aspirin, particularly if you have had an angioplasty and stent. Clopigogrel is usually prescribed for one year after an angioplasty and stent.

Betablocker

Beta blockers block the action of adrenaline in your body. By doing this they reduce your blood pressure and heart rate. They have been shown to reduce your risk of another heart attack if you have had one already.

Cholesterol lowering drug (Statin)

Statins will lower both your total cholesterol level and your level of LDL ‘bad’ cholesterol. You should report any symptoms of muscle pain, weakness or tenderness to your doctor as this can be a rare side effect of the medication and will need to be investigated if it occurs. You should not take grapefruit or grapefruit juice whilst taking certain statin medication. Please check with your pharmacist or a member of the cardiac rehabilitation team for more specific information.

ACE Inhibitor

This drug helps your arteries to relax and widen by blocking the action of an enzyme which can cause your blood vessels to constrict. This action lowers your blood pressure. ACE Inhibitors have been shown to reduce your risk of a further cardiac event.

You may be prescribed a number of other medications to these to control any symptoms you may have. A nitrate may be one of these medications.

Nitrate

Nitrates relax your coronary arteries and allow the blood to reach the heart muscle more easily. Nitrate tablets may be prescribed regularly to prevent angina attacks. Your GTN spray is a nitrate. It works the same way as the tablets but gives you a smaller dose very quickly, to relieve angina symptoms when they occur.

You may be on a number of other medications. It is important that you understand what medications you are taking and why you are taking them. If you are unsure, please ask your doctor, cardiac rehabilitation nurse or pharmacist.