Pharmacological Treatment of Heart Failure

Diuretics

Diuretics like Lasix are commonly used to reduce the amount of fluid that is retained by some heart failure patients. Too much fluid retention can cause swelling of legs and feet as well as cause difficulty with breathing. Unfortunately, the main side effect of this group of medications causes the person to frequently visit the bathroom to urinate.

According to The Mayo Clinic, angiotensin converting enzymes or ACE Inhibitors helps people live longer and feel better. ACE inhibitors are known as vasodilators which dilate or widen blood vessels to lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation. They also help to reduce salt and water retention by blocking the hormones that contribute to this problem. These medications include Vasotec and Capoten. However, they do have a negative side effect, causing a chronic cough in some people.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are commonly used with people who cannot tolerate the side effects of ACE Inhibitors. ARBs are a class of drugs that include Cozaar and Diovan. According to the Mayo Clinic, ARBs have many of the benefits of ACE Inhibitors but they don't cause an unrelenting cough as ACE Inhibitors do. These medications are used to control low blood pressure, by causing the muscles to contract and restrict blood flow. This lower blood pressure makes it easier for the heart to pump more effectively without overworking it.

According to The Mayo Clinic, aldosterone antagonists are known as potassium sparing diuretics and include Aldactone and Inspra. They are reported to have beneficial effects that can reverse scarring of the heart and help the heart to work better. They also help people with severe cases of heart failure live longer, fuller, lives.

BilDil is a relatively new medication that has shown a great deal of promise with treating heart failure in the black population. It is the first medication of its kind to be studied and approved for a particular racial or ethnic group. According to the Mayo Clinic, BilDil is made up of two separate drugs (hydralazine and isosorbide dinitrate). These medications dilate and relax blood vessels allowing blood to circulate more freely throughout the body.