- Hello, my name is Michelle Anderson,
and I am one of the pharmacists at the St. Cloud VA.
Today, I will be talking about some of the medications
that are often used to improve overall heart health.
There are many medications that can help manage
heart health, including aspirin, blood pressure medications,
and cholesterol medications.
Even though these medications are very important,
they do not take the place of lifestyle changes,
such as improved diet and exercise,
that were previously discussed today.
It is important to remember to take these medications
exactly as they are prescribed to get the most benefit.
You may not feel any differently when you take these medications,
but you should continue taking them
unless instructed to stop by your doctor.
The medications are still working in the background
to improve your heart health,
even though you likely will not feel
your blood pressure lowering or your cholesterol improving.
The first medication we will discuss
is aspirin 81 milligrams,
which is also known as a baby aspirin.
It is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
Your individual need for aspirin
should be discussed with your doctor.
It is typically recommended for anyone over 50 years of age
or for people who have already had a heart attack or stroke.
Next, we will move on to talking about blood pressure.
Blood pressure is a measure of the pressure
that your blood exerts on the walls of your blood vessels.
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure,
does not always mean
you are feeling tense, anxious, or nervous.
You can have high blood pressure even if you feel calm
or are not under stress.
Having high blood pressure for a prolonged period of time
can lead to many health complications,
including damage to your eyes, heart, kidneys, and arteries.
It can also cause a heart attack or a stroke.
Your individual blood pressure goal
should be discussed with your doctor.
There are many types of medications
for high blood pressure, and some of the medications
can be used for multiple disease states.
You doctor and health care team will work with you
to select the best medication for you
based on your medical history.
The first types of high blood pressure medications
are called angiotensin-converting enzyme--
or ACE--inhibitors,
and angiotensin II receptor blockers--or ARBs.
These two groups of medications work in similar ways
to lower your blood pressure.
These medications can also be used
to help protect your kidneys,
especially if you have diabetes.
Lisinopril and losartan are examples.
Common side effects are cough and dizziness,
or feeling lightheaded.
Another type of medication for high blood pressure
is a diuretic, or "water pill."
Hydrochlorothiazide and chlorthalidone
are common examples of diuretics.
These medications can also be used
to help with extra water in your body,
which can cause swelling in your legs
or increased shortness of breath.
Frequent urination is a common side effect
of these medications.
Calcium channel blockers, such as amlodipine,
can also be used for high blood pressure.
Common side effects include dizziness or lightheadedness,
and increased swelling of your lower legs.
Beta blockers can also be used to lower blood pressure.
They are often used in patients with fast heart rates,
heart failure, and after a heart attack.
Some examples include:
metoprolol, atenolol, and carvedilol.
The most common side effects are dizziness or lightheadedness
and feeling tired.
You may have noticed that all of the blood pressure medications
I discussed can cause lightheadedness or dizziness,
which is a common symptom of low blood pressure.
It is important to monitor your blood pressure at home.
If you are taking a blood pressure medication
and do not have a blood pressure monitor at home,
contact your PACT team
to receive a monitor and education on proper use.
If the top number on the blood pressure machine
is consistently less than 100,
or if you have symptoms of low blood pressure,
you should also contact your PACT team.
The last thing I will cover is
medications to control high cholesterol.
Having high cholesterol can lead to heart disease,
which includes heart attacks and strokes.
Plaque and cholesterol can build up in your blood vessels,
which can cause decreased blood flow.
Pieces of plaque can also break off
and cause problems in your body.
Certain medications can lower the risk of these conditions
when combined with diet and exercise.
The medications used for high cholesterol
are also used to prevent against heart attacks and strokes.
Having a high LDL-- or lousy cholesterol--
has been associated with a higher risk of
strokes and heart attacks.
However, it is important to remember that
you may benefit from these
even if your cholesterol labs are normal,
because they are still working to lower your risk of
strokes and heart attacks.
The specific medication and dose
is based on your personal risk of
having a heart attack or stroke.
Your PACT team will work with you
to determine which medication is best for you.
The most commonly used medications for high cholesterol
are referred to as "statins."
These have been proven
to prevent heart attacks and strokes better than
other medications that were used for high cholesterol before.
Statins work to decrease your lousy cholesterol.
They are also thought to help prevent the plaque
in your blood vessels from breaking off.
Common examples include:
atorvastatin, simvastatin,
rosuvastatin, and pravastatin.
These are often dosed once daily,
and some need to be taken in the evening.
Common side effects include muscle aches or pains
and stomach pain.
It is important to contact your PACT team
with any questions after starting any new medicines.
You should also try not to suddenly stop any medicines
without first contacting your PACT team.
Thank you for joining us.
If you have any questions about
the videos you have just watched,
please contact your health care team.