Medications for Heart and Other Circulatory Problems
Prescription medications and over the counter medications are commonly used to prevent heart and circulatory problems from progressing and to manage symptoms. It’s easy to start a new prescription and over time forget or misunderstand why you are taking it. Whether you have recently received a new prescription or you need a refresher about a medicine you have been taking for a while, Hill Physicians encourages you to learn more about heart and circulatory medications.
Heart and Circulatory Medications by Condition
Types of Heart and Circulatory Medications
To learn more about a medication listed below, enter the type of medication or a medication name in the Hill Physicians search box (next to the green “Search” button in the upper-right corner of this website). Your search might provide more than one result because many medicines listed below are used to treat more than one type of heart or circulatory problem.
- Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARBs)
- Antiarrhythmic medications
- Antibiotics (for short-term use before medical or dental procedures)
- Anticoagulants
- Antiplatelet Medications
- Aspirin
- Beta-Blockers
- Bile acid sequestrants
- Calcium Channel Blockers
- Cholesterol absorption inhibitors
- Digoxin
- Direct renin inhibitors
- Diuretics
- Fibric acid derivatives
- Nicotinic acid (niacin)
- Nitrates
- Oxygen Therapy
- Statins and statin combinations
- Stents (medicated)
- Thrombolytics
- Vasodilators
Other Types of Medications for People with Heart and Circulatory Problems
Surviving a life-threatening medical problem that affects your ability to do the things you want to do or used to do can be challenging. Many people experience depression or anxiety symptoms after a heart attack, stroke, or heart disease diagnosis. Your doctor might prescribe antidepressant or anti-anxiety medications to help you adjust to these major changes.
Tips for Managing Your Medications
Did you know that Hill Physicians members can schedule free telephone consultations with a Hill Physicians pharmacist to review your medication regimen? Members who take at least eight prescription drugs, have been hospitalized more than once in the past year or have two or more long-term medical conditions are encouraged to schedule a free telephone consultation with a Hill Physicians pharmacist. Request a Hill Physicians Pharmacy Consultation.
If you take medicines regularly, whether prescribed or over-the-counter, keep a list of current medications and doses on your refrigerator. Emergency medical personnel are trained to look for medical information there. The following forms might be helpful to you for managing your medications.
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Medications list: Use this form to record your medication names, who prescribed them, why you take them, doses, and how often they are taken. This form also tracks medication allergies and over-the-counter medicines. Keep an updated copy of this list on your refrigerator.
Additional information you might want to record on your medicine list: when you started taking each medication, the pharmacy where you purchased it and side effects to watch for.
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Daily medicine schedule: This form provides a detailed summary of which medicines you take at different times of day. If you take many medicines this form might be helpful to keep with you to help you remember when to take what, in addition to keeping an updated copy with the medications list on your refrigerator.
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New medicine information: Use this form to ask your doctor questions and record his or her answers about a new medication, including what it is used for, how long you will need to take it, and instructions for taking it.
Make a Decision about a Heart or Circulatory Medicine
For help with making a decision about taking a heart or circulatory-related medicine, go to our Heart Health Decision Guides page.
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