How to Choose Angina Medication

If you suffer from angina, chances are medications will be part of your treatment plan. Before deciding on a particular drug, consult with your physician about your options. Learn how they work and what's best for your condition. Here are some things to consider when you choose angina medication.

Instructions

Nitrates

1. Learn how nitrates dilate arteries, enhance blood flow and alleviate chest pain while lowering the heart's workload. Use them long-term if your angina happens in the midst of daily activities, during an angina attack or prior to participating in stressful behavior.

2. Take your nitrates in pill form, spray them beneath the tongue or apply them with a skin patch.

3. Know the side effects associated with nitrates, including low blood pressure, headache, dizziness, throbbing in the head or a burning sensation beneath the tongue.

Beta Blockers

1. Consider beta blockers that your lower heart rate, blood pressure and the heart's workload so it will need less oxygen.

2. Take the blockers for the first 6 months following a heart attack to maximize the benefits.

3. Know the side effects associated with beta blockers, including circulation issues, dizziness, fatigue, insomnia and increased blood sugar levels in diabetics.

4. Consult your physician before using beta blockers if you have other medical conditions or allergies.

Calcium Channel Blockers

1. Remember that calcium channel blockers increase blood flow to the heart, lower blood pressure and prevent calcium from entering the cells.

2. Combine them with beta blockers and nitrates for increased effectiveness.

3. Learn the side effects associated with calcium channel blockers, including dizziness, headache, low blood pressure, weakness, constipation, swelling of the legs and ankles and changes in your heart's rhythm.

Thrombolytics

1. Remember that thrombolytics work best if you take them within the first few hours of a heart attack.

2. Avoid thrombolytics if you have suffered a stroke, bleeding ulcer, brain tumor, high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder, recent surgery and an injury or a possible rip in your aorta.

3. Consider your age and weight before taking thrombolytics.

4. Know the side effects associated with thrombolytics, including severe bleeding, fever, low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat or allergic reactions.

Anticoagulants

1. Learn how they work. Anticoagulants decrease your blood's clotting ability. You may take them with other anti-clotting medicines to prevent or reduce damage to the heart muscle.

2. Remember that taking anticoagulants diminishes the possibility of stroke and repeat heart attack.

3. Know the side effects associated with anticoagulants, including increased bruising; persistent pain in your head, back or neck; evidence of bleeding from your gums, blood in your urine or hacking blood during a cough; dark stools orconstipation; and prolonged or heavy menstrual bleeding.

Aspirin

1. Ask the doctor if you should use aspirin for stable and unstable angina. Some people take it to lower the risk of heart attack following bypass or angioplasty surgery. Others take aspirin after receiving a diagnosis of heart disease. Aspirin also might help healthy individuals who are over 50 and at risk for heart disease.

2. Chew the aspirin if you take it while suffering a heart attack. Don't swallow it whole.

3. Know the side effects associated with aspirin, including gastritis, gastrointestinal bleeding and allergic reactions.

4. Consult your physician before taking aspirin repeatedly.

Tips & Warnings

• Never take another person's prescription angina medicine.

• Contact your physician if you experience any side effects.