ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE - DRUGS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ISCHEMIC HEART DISEASE - MEDICATIONS

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Medicines to Treat Ischemic Heart Disease

Definition

The term "ischemic heart disease" encompasses numerous pathologies of variable etiology, however all accompanied by a marked imbalance between the oxygen supply to the myocardium and the metabolic demand: this degenerates into the "alteration of the contractile capacity of the myocardium and the" inability to regulation of the electrical activity of the heart.

In ischemia there is a lack or complete suppression of the blood supply in a specific anatomical area.

Causes

Ischemic heart disease is closely linked to coronary atherosclerosis, in turn related to: alcohol abuse, old age, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, arterial hypertension, obesity, genetic predisposition, previous cardiovascular diseases, smoking.

Symptoms

Ischemic heart disease can manifest itself with different symptoms, which can lead the patient even to death: angina pectoris, arrhythmia, primary circulatory arrest (leading to sudden death of the patient, when not treated immediately), myocardial infarction, heart failure, silent ischemia .

In ischemic heart disease, in the patient there is a difficulty in eliminating waste substances, a net reduction in the supply of oxygen and a scarce availability of nutrients.

The information on Ischemic Heart Disease - Medicines for the Treatment of Ischemic Heart Disease is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Ischemic Heart Disease - Drugs to Treat Ischemic Heart Disease.

Medicines

Considering the danger of the pathology, the first step towards healing from ischemic heart disease is undoubtedly prevention: the identification of risk factors is fundamental, therefore the correction of lifestyle and recovery from predisposing diseases, which fall within the norms. primary prophylaxis. To give an example, we have seen that ischemic heart disease can be favored by obesity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and diabetes: in a single word, ischemic heart disease is heavily affected by the metabolic syndrome, therefore the implementation of strategies aimed at to cure the underlying disease can certainly reduce the risk of symptomatic degeneration.
Even the "smoking habit and alcohol abuse" can in some way predispose the patient to ischemic heart disease: not surprisingly, it is recommended to stop smoking and take alcohol, rules that should be followed always and in any case, not only for the prevention of serious diseases such as ischemic heart disease.
To remove the risk of ischemia, especially in its acute cardiac episodes, it is recommended to take antiplatelet agents, particularly recommended in those subjects with multiple risk factors. The administration of beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers (to treat hypertension) is also part of the primary prevention rules. Nitrates, on the other hand, prevent angina in the context of ischemic heart disease.

The following are the classes of drugs most used in the therapy against ischemic heart disease, and some examples of pharmacological specialties; it is up to the doctor to choose the most suitable active ingredient and dosage for the patient, based on the severity of the disease, the state of health of the patient and his response to treatment:

Medicines for the treatment of angina

The most used drugs for the treatment of angina pectoris are nitrates (especially nitroglycerin, Isosorbide dinitrate and Isosorbide mononitrate), antiplatelet agents (Acetylsalicylic acid, Heparin), beta-blockers (such as Atenolol, Acebutolol hydrochloride, Metoprolol and tartrate, etc.) calcium antagonists (eg. Verapamil, Amlodipine, etc.). Often these drugs are used in combination: for example, a beta blocker may not be sufficient to ward off the symptoms of angina, therefore the patient can also take a calcium channel blocker or a long-lasting nitrate.
Statins are also used in therapy for the treatment of angina pectoris: they are indicated to minimize the possibility of cardiovascular disease in patients at risk (especially if associated with nitrates), and to prevent complications.

Medicines for the treatment of hypertension

For the prevention of ischemic heart disease, it is essential to monitor blood pressure and prevent excessively high peaks; for this purpose, some drugs are indicated to lower blood pressure: diuretic drugs, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and calcium channel blockers. The most widely used for the treatment of hypertension are diuretics and beta blockers, such as:

Spironolactone (eg Aldactone, Uractone, Spirolang): the drug belongs to the pharmacological class of potassium-sparing diuretics. The posology for the treatment of hypertension is very variable (50-200 mg per day) and must be established by the doctor on the basis of the patient's blood pressure.
Hydrochlorothiazide (eg Rasitrio, Esidrex): thiazide diuretic drug. It is recommended to start therapy for hypertension by taking a drug dose of 25 mg once a day. Maintenance dose: it is possible to increase the dosage by 50 mg, to be taken orally, even in two divided doses. Consult your doctor.
Acebutolol hydrochloride (eg. PRENT, Sectral): the drug belongs to the class of beta blockers, useful for the treatment of hypertension. Indicatively, take a 200 mg tablet of the drug, preferably before breakfast. It is possible to gradually increase the dosage up to to a maximum of 400 mg per day.
Carvedilol (eg. Colver): another beta blocker drug, indicated for the treatment of hypertension. It is recommended to take two tablets (for a total of 12.5 mg) per day for the first two days of treatment; subsequently, take 25 mg of active, in a single dose, up to a maximum of 50 mg (divided into two doses). Consult your doctor.

For further information: see the article on drugs for the treatment of hypertension.

Drugs for the Treatment of Obesity

Obese patients who are unable to obtain benefits in reducing their body weight with diet combined with constant physical exercise, can find help by taking certain medications. In fact, obesity is one of the risk factors for ischemic heart disease. Orlistat and acarabose are two drugs particularly suitable for treating obesity:

Orlistat (eg. Xenical, Alli): the drug (lipase inhibitor) is indicated as an adjuvant in low-calorie diets: it is the drug of choice in the treatment of obesity, together with Sibutramine (until a few years ago). Indicatively, the drug should be taken at a dose of 120 mg, orally, three times a day, during a meal or no later than one "hour after its end. It is recommended to take a multivitamin supplement (eg. Multicentrum, Supradyn, Be- total plus) in association with orlistat: this drug, in fact, hinders the absorption of some nutrients and vitamins essential to the body for its proper functioning.
Acarbose (eg Glucobay, Glicobase): indicatively, it is recommended to take half a tablet (corresponding to 50 mg) 3 times a day, during a meal. The posology should be progressively modified on the basis of the patient's response to treatment. Consult your doctor. This drug is widely used to prevent ischemic heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Medicines for the treatment of coronary atherosclerosis

As we know, atherosclerosis is one of the predisposing factors for ischemic heart disease, therefore the administration of drugs for the prevention / treatment of atherosclerosis is equally useful to remove the risk of ischemic heart disease episodes.
The following are the drugs most used in therapy for the treatment of atherosclerosis:

Medicines for the treatment of high cholesterol
Medicines for the treatment of hypertension
Antiplatelet drugs
Antidiabetic drugs
Omega three supplementation

Heart Attack Medicines

Myocardial infarction is one of the most dangerous consequences of ischemic heart disease: the implementation of pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies, aimed at preventing heart attack, also implies the prevention of ischemic heart disease.
The following are the drugs most used in therapy for the treatment of myocardial infarction, and some examples of medicinal specialties:

Antiplatelet agents: eg. Acetylsalicylic acid, heparin, Clopidogrel
Thrombolytic drugs: eg. Alteplase
Beta-blocking drugs: eg. Acebutolol hydrochloride, metoprolol tartrate, Timolol maleate
ACE inhibitors: eg. Ramipril, Lisinopril
Nitrates: eg. nitroglycerin
Medicines for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia: eg Gemfibrozil, Cholestyramine

The administration of some drugs rather than others depends on the general state of health of the patient; however, the primary objective of drug therapy is to avoid the onset of ischemic heart disease, and its relapses.