What Are the 6 Best Heart Medications to Take in 2024?

It is quite likely that you will have to take some medications for the rest of your life if you have had a heart attack. There are a plethora of drugs available to help treat heart disease. However, with so many options, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the best for you. In this blog post, we will explore the 6 best heart medications, including the Eliquis 2.5 mg tablet, that you should consider taking in 2024. Whether you’re a heart patient or simply looking to improve your cardiovascular health, this post will provide you with the information you need to make the best decisions for your heart.

There are different types of drugs used to treat heart diseases. Some help control the levels of cholesterol in your blood, while others keep your blood pressure in check. There are also drugs that prevent blood clots and ones that help keep our heartbeat at the right pace. Just like how we take vitamins to stay healthy, some people need these special heart medicines to keep their hearts healthy. Here are the 6 best types of cardiovascular drugs:

1. Anticoagulants

Medications that inhibit the clotting of your blood are called anticoagulants, for example, Apixaban (for example- Eliquis 5mg tablets). They work by allowing your body to break down existing clots or by stopping new ones from forming. These drugs are available in many forms, including injections, intravenous drugs, and oral medications. Treatment of conditions like strokes, heart attacks, and pulmonary emboli is often one of their main responsibilities.

Who Should Take Anticoagulant Medicines?

Those with conditions or diseases that could cause clot-related events can benefit from anticoagulants such as:

Atrial Fibrillation: It occurs when the upper chambers of your heart beat too fast to pump effectively, causing blood to pool. When blood pools, it can clot, and clots can easily travel from the heart to the brain, causing strokes.
Heart Valve Surgery or Replacement: It is possible for clots to form at the site of certain heart valve replacements. They are prevented from forming by anticoagulants.
Hip or Knee Replacement: The risk of clots forming in your leg veins can be increased if you have a joint replacement. One of the main causes of pulmonary embolism is deep vein thrombosis.
Blood Clotting Disorders: In this category are conditions and diseases that affect how your blood clots. You can inherit some of these disorders from your parents or pass them on to your children.

2. Antiplatelet Medications

The purpose of antiplatelet drugs is to prevent blood clots from forming. Their function is to prevent your platelets from adhering together. They reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots. Aspirin is the most commonly used oral antiplatelet medicine.

Who Should Take Antiplatelet Medicines?

Blood clots are an important and natural way that the body protects itself. A clot in your bloodstream can, however, cause a heart attack or stroke. People with certain medical conditions are more likely to experience this:

Angina: A condition characterized by chest pain or discomfort due to reduced blood flow to the heart. The patient may be prescribed antiplatelet drugs to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of a heart attack.
Atrial Fibrillation: People with atrial fibrillation are often prescribed these drugs to minimize the risk of blood clots forming in the heart and potentially causing a stroke.
Coronary Artery Disease: A condition where the blood vessels supplying the heart become narrowed or blocked. The drug may prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of heart attacks.
History of Heart Attack or Stroke: Such individuals may be prescribed the drugs as a preventive measure against blood clot formation.
Peripheral Vascular Disease: A condition affecting blood vessels outside the heart that leads to circulation problems. The medicine is prescribed to prevent blood clots and improve overall blood flow.
Post-Surgery: Following surgeries like coronary artery bypass, angioplasty, and heart-valve surgery, antiplatelet drugs may be recommended to prevent blood clots during the recovery period.

3. Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers

These medications prevent high blood pressure and heart failure by blocking angiotensin II receptors. By decreasing angiotensin (a protein produced by the liver), they reduce blood pressure. This protein causes blood vessels to become narrow, leading to high blood pressure. Also, ARBs lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as well as treat heart failure and kidney disease. It relaxes blood vessels, allowing blood to flow more freely.

Who Should Take Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers?

Your healthcare provider may prescribe ARBs if you have the conditions like:

Hypertension: It lowers the force exerted on the blood vessels as blood circulates through the body. It helps relax blood vessels, making it easier for blood to flow and reducing the strain on the cardiovascular system.
Heart Attack or Failure: They are often prescribed to prevent heart attacks or failure to limit damage to the heart after such an event.
Fatty Liver Disease: They are employed to prevent inflammation in the liver. These medications contribute to the overall health of the liver by addressing underlying factors and promoting a balanced environment within the organ.
Kidney Disease: They are often used to slow kidney damage, especially in cases related to diabetes. By blocking the effects of angiotensin II on the kidneys, these medications help manage and mitigate the progression of kidney disease, safeguarding renal function.

4. Diuretics

It is a medicine that helps you move extra fluids and salt out of your body. Diuretics are commonly known as water pills. If possible, take them first thing in the morning so you don’t have to stop to urinate throughout the day. These medicines may need to be taken once or twice a day at the same time every day.

Who Should Take Diuretics?

Your healthcare provider may prescribe diuretics if you have the conditions like:

High Blood Pressure: They help lower blood pressure by promoting the removal of excess salt and water, reducing the volume of blood flowing through the vessels.
Heart Attack or Failure: They are used to reduce fluid retention and congestion in the body, relieving symptoms of heart failure such as swelling and shortness of breath.
Cardiomyopathy: It is a disease of the heart muscle, affecting its ability to pump blood. The medicine may be prescribed to manage fluid buildup in the body and alleviate stress on the heart in individuals with the disease.
Pulmonary Edema: It refers to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs, often resulting from heart failure or other cardiac conditions. The drug helps remove excess fluid from the body, reducing the congestion in the lungs and improving breathing.
Renal Failure: It is a condition where the kidneys are unable to filter waste products and excess fluids from the blood adequately. The drug may be used to manage fluid overload and edema associated with renal failure.
Nephrotic Syndrome: It is a kidney disorder characterized by high levels of protein in the urine, low protein levels in the blood, and swelling. The medicine may be employed to address fluid retention and swelling in individuals with nephrotic syndrome.

5. Beta-Blockers

Medicines called beta-blockers are most commonly prescribed for heart and circulatory problems. In addition, they are sometimes used to treat conditions related to the brain and nervous system. By slowing down specific types of cell activity, they can help control blood pressure, heart rate, and other bodily functions.

Who Should Take Beta Blockers?

As they are found in several locations throughout the body, they can treat a wide range of problems and conditions:

Aortic Dissection: It is a tear in the internal layer of the aorta, the big blood vessel diverging off the heart. Beta-blockers reduce the force of each heartbeat, minimizing stress on the aorta and helping manage aortic dissection.
Coronary Artery Disease: They help manage this condition by reducing the heart’s workload and improving blood flow to the heart muscle.
Heart Attack or Failure: They help protect the heart by reducing the workload, preventing arrhythmias, and improving overall cardiac function during the recovery period.
Hypertension: They lower blood pressure by reducing the force and rate of the heart’s contractions, decreasing the overall workload on the heart.
Portal Hypertension: It is increased pressure in the portal vein system, often associated with liver disease. The medicine can help reduce this pressure by decreasing blood flow to the liver.
Essential Tremor: It is a neurological disorder causing involuntary and rhythmic shaking. Beta-blockers can help control tremors by stabilizing nerve signals.
Glaucoma: They reduce intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of fluid in the eye.
Hyperthyroidism (Overactive Thyroid): It involves excessive production of thyroid hormones. The drug alleviates symptoms such as rapid heartbeat, anxiety, and tremors associated with an overactive thyroid.

6. ACE Inhibitors

A class of medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or ACE-I helps lower blood pressure and protects the kidneys. They treat conditions related to the heart and circulation, such as high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes-related kidney disease, and others. Angiotensin-converting enzyme is inhibited from converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II. As a result, the reduced levels of angiotensin II in the body lower blood pressure because it raises blood pressure in multiple ways.

Who Should Take ACE Inhibitors?

It is commonly prescribed to treat the following conditions:

Hypertension: The drug relaxes blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and reducing the workload on the heart.
Heart Failure: They help by dilating blood vessels and reducing the strain on the heart, improving its pumping capacity in conditions like left ventricular systolic dysfunction.
Nephrotic Syndrome: It is a kidney disorder causing damage and excessive protein loss in the urine. ACE inhibitors help by reducing proteinuria, thereby protecting the kidneys from further damage.
Proteinuria: It is the presence of an abnormal amount of protein in the urine, indicating kidney dysfunction. The medicine decreases proteinuria by relaxing blood vessels and improving kidney function.
Glomerular Disease: It refers to conditions affecting the kidney’s filtration system. The drug helps by dilating blood vessels, reducing pressure in the glomeruli, and slowing down the progression of glomerular disease.

How Can You Improve Your Heart Health Naturally?

Listed below are some tips for improving your heart’s health:

Begin with a brisk 10-minute walk if you’re not accustomed to regular exercise. It’s a simple yet effective way to kickstart physical activity.
Lift a hardcover book or a two-pound weight several times a day to strengthen arm muscles. Progress to heavier items, or consider joining a gym as your strength improves.
Boost your daily intake by including one extra fruit or vegetable. These nutritious options are not only good for your taste buds but also benefit various aspects of your health.
Start your day with a nutritious breakfast, incorporating fruits and whole grains like oatmeal, bran flakes, or whole-wheat toast.
Trim your calorie intake by eliminating one sugary soda or calorie-laden latte. This small change can lead to significant calorie savings and potential weight loss.
Replace chips or cookies with a handful of heart-healthy nuts like walnuts, almonds, or peanuts. They offer a satisfying crunch and can be added to salads or substituted for meat in various dishes.
Introduce fish or other seafood into your diet once a week instead of red meat. This choice benefits your heart, brain, and waistline.
Dedicate a few minutes each day to slow, deep breathing. This simple practice promotes relaxation and may contribute to lowering blood pressure.
Regularly wash your hands with soap and water throughout the day. This practice serves as a protective measure for your heart and overall health, guarding against infections like the flu and pneumonia.
Take a daily moment to acknowledge the blessings in your life. Cultivating positive emotions can have a meaningful impact on your overall well-being. You can also buy Eliquis online from the best Canadian online pharmacy, Polar Bear Meds, for discounted prices.

Let’s Recap

Heart health is prioritized through a combination of medication and healthy lifestyle choices. A variety of cardiovascular conditions can be effectively treated with the six heart medications highlighted, including Eliquis. The use of anticoagulants, antiplatelet medications, angiotensin II receptor blockers, diuretics, beta-blockers, and ACE inhibitors ensures that comprehensive care is provided. Simple lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mindful habits, also contribute to better heart health. Heart-healthy living can be achieved through a combination of medication and healthy living, whether managing post-heart attack care or promoting overall well-being.