Close to 6.5 million Americans over the age of 20 have heart failure.
Furthermore, there are as many as 960,000 new heart failure cases yearly.
These prescription drugs may help control symptoms, prevent your condition from worsening, and help you live longer.
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As described above, ACE inhibitors work on the RAS.
Angiotensin II causes high blood pressure and fluid retention.
Therefore, ACE inhibitors help lower blood pressure and improve heart failure by inhibiting the production of angiotensin II.
ACE inhibitors are taken orally (by mouth).
Notice that the active ingredients in ACE inhibitors always end in the letters “-pril.”
Ask your healthcare provider which ACE inhibitor is best for you.
Because everyone has a unique medical history, there are many factors to consider when picking a medication.
Zestril (Lisinopril)
Studies show Zestril to be effective and well-tolerated, even at higher doses.
Typically, it is taken alongside a diuretic, such as hydrochlorothiazide.
Zestril works to improve heart failure-related symptoms.
At high doses, it helps keeps people with heart failure healthier and reduces the risk of death.
However, people with severely high blood pressure may need multiple drugs to achieve blood pressure control.
Lotensin helps improve symptoms and exercise capacity in people with congestive heart failure.
Lotensin is FDA-approved to treat heart failure and high blood pressure in adults and children 6 years and older.
Trandolapril is approved for adults to treat high blood pressure and heart failure, including after a heart attack.
While ACE inhibitors restrain the production of angiotensin II, ARBs work later in the cycle.
They prevent angiotensin II from binding to a receptor.
The active ingredients in ARBs contain the suffix -sartan.
Cozaar (Losartan)
Cozaarwas the first ARB to be approved by the FDA.
Clinical studies showed losartan to be effective and well-tolerated.
Cozaar treats hypertension in adults and children 6 and older.
Losartan, Cozaar’s active ingredient, is also used to preventkidney complications in people with diabetes.
Benicar is FDA-approved in adults and children to treat high blood pressure.
Avapro (Irbesartan)
Avapro, containing irbesartan, is considered effective in treating high blood pressure.
Studies show that it may have a slightly more significant effect on blood pressure than other ARBs.
Edarbi is FDA-approved to treat adults with high blood pressure.
Healthcare providers will still prescribe it for certain conditions because studies have shown benefits for its use.
Studies have also found that all ACE inhibitors and ARBs are equally effective.
Ask your healthcare provider which ARB is best for you.
Because everyone has a unique medical history, your provider will consider many factors before prescribing a medication.
Only your healthcare provider can decide which medication is most appropriate for you.
Non-cardioselective beta-blockers tend to have more side effects since they affect other areas of the body than the heart.
Notice that the active ingredients in beta-blockers end in “-lol.”
Ask your healthcare provider which beta-blocker is best for you.
Because everyone has a unique medical history, there are many factors to consider when picking a medication.
All of these medications have different benefits as well as side effects.
What works great for someone may cause side effects in another person.
Ask your healthcare provider for advice on the best medication.
Heart failure medications should generally be stored at room temperature (between 68 and 77 degrees F).
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