Community Programs
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Take What You Need to Prevent
a Heart Attack and Stroke
(Page 2)
Understanding your medications
It is important to understand how your medications work, possible side effects, and when and how you should take them. Most people have questions or concerns about medications they are currently taking or starting to take. Talk with your health care team to learn more about your medications. Below are some important questions to ask:
- Why am I taking this medication?
- When and how should I take this medicine?
- What are the possible side effects?
- If I notice a side effect, what should I do?
- Other:
ACE* Inhibitors
ACE Inhibitors lower blood pressure
by causing the blood vessels to relax
and widen. This increases the supply
of blood and oxygen to the heart
and helps the heart beat more easily.
Other names: Lisinopil (Prinivil,
Zestril), Captopril (Capoten).
*Angiotensin Converting Enzyme
Beta Blocker
Beta-blockers reduce the workload of the heart by relaxing the heart muscle and by slowing down the heart rate. This allows your heart to pump blood more easily. Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, irregular heart beats, blocked coronary arteries, and angina Other names: Atenolol (Tenormin), Metoprolol (Lopressor).
Aspirin
Aspirin reduces the stickiness of blood cells, called platelets. This lowers the chances of platelets clumping together, forming a blood clot. Clots can cause a blockage in your arteries and lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Statins
Statins work to lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol, which builds up in your artery walls, making them narrow. They also increase your HDL (good) cholesterol, reduce your triglycerides, and may help to prevent blood clots and inflammation inside your arteries. Other names: Lovastatin (Mevacor), Simvastatin (Zocor).
Taking other medications
Be careful of over-the-counter medication and herbal or weight loss supplements. Read the labels on the bottle or box carefully. Some over-thecounter medicines include warnings that state they should not be used by people at risk for a heart attack or stroke. Let your health care professional know if you are taking any over-the-counter medicines.