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Understanding your heart medicines

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Understanding your heart medicines

Find out about common heart medicines.

Key takeaways

2 min read

  • Heart medicines include blood pressure and cholesterol medicines. Your doctor might prescribe these medicines as part of a Heart Health Check.
  • Most people who have had a heart attack or who have a heart condition will need to take medicines.
  • Heart medicines include those to manage blood pressure, cholesterol, blood clots and angina (chest pain). Know which heart medicines you are taking and what they are for.
  • Keep a list of the medicines you take, either on your phone or written down. There are also free medicine tracking apps available. Take the list to all your health appointments.
  • Your doctor or pharmacist is the best source of advice about your medicines. They can also help you to access your medicines at reduced cost.

Know the different types of heart medicines  

The types of medicines you take will depend on your heart condition. Your doctor might prescribe more than one type of heart medicine.

Click on the headings below to learn about the different types of heart medicines.

Different types of blood pressure medicines:

  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (or ACE inhibitors). The names of these medicines often end in ‘pril’.
  • Angiotensin receptor blockers (or ARBs). The names of these medicines often end in ‘sartan’.
  • Beta blockers. The names of these medicines often end in ‘lol’. Beta blockers are also prescribed for abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), heart failure and angina (chest pain).
  • Calcium channel blockers. The names of these medicines often end in ‘pine’. 

These medicines maintain a healthy blood pressure to improve the flow of oxygen and blood around the body. Some help the heart to pump more easily and more efficiently.

Your doctor might prescribe a blood pressure medicine as part of a Heart Health Check. This is to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Your doctor might also prescribe cholesterol medicines if you have already had a heart attack or stroke.

  • The names of these medicines often end in ‘statin’.
  • These medicines help manage your cholesterol and can prevent fatty plaques building up in blood vessels (arteries).
  • Cholesterol medicines stabilise fatty plaques in the arteries, helping to stop them from breaking up. When this happens, a blood clot can form which can block arteries and cause a heart attack or stroke.
  • Your doctor might prescribe other cholesterol medicines as well.

Your doctor might prescribe a cholesterol medicine as part of a Heart Health Check. This is to reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke.

Your doctor might also prescribe cholesterol medicines if you have already had a heart attack or stroke.

  • Anticoagulants and antiplatelets prevent blood clots forming. Anticoagulants can also treat existing blood clots.

  • These medicines reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke by preventing clots from blocking the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart and brain.

  • People with heart rhythm problems (arrhythmias) are often prescribed these medicines.

  • People who have had certain heart procedures might also need to take these medicines.

  • You might be prescribed more than one medicine to stop blood clots forming.

  • Having an abnormal heart rate or rhythm means your heart is beating too fast, too slow or in an irregular pattern.

  • Medicines such as beta blockers and calcium channel blockers (See Medicines to manage blood pressure) help to stabilise the heart rate and rhythm.

  • These medicines are prescribed for people who have abnormal heart rhythms (such as atrial fibrillation).

  • These medicines are commonly called ‘nitrate medicines’. They improve the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Beta blockers can also prevent angina (see Medicines to manage blood pressure).

  • Nitrate medicines are often prescribed after a heart attack or angina episode.

  • Long-acting nitrate medicines can be taken every day to prevent angina, in the form of a tablet or patch.

  • Short-acting nitrate medicines can be taken when a person is having an angina episode. They come in the form of a tablet or spray that goes under the tongue. If you are prescribed this type of medicine, be sure to always keep it handy.

  • These medicines are commonly known as diuretics.

  •  A diuretic helps reduce the amount of excess fluid in the body by increasing the amount of urine (pee) you produce.

  • People with heart failure may occasionally be prescribed these medicines to prevent fluid building up in the lungs, abdomen (tummy), legs, ankles and feet. A buildup of fluid can make heart failure symptoms worse. For example, you might feel more short of breath than normal.

Understand your heart medicines

It’s important to know which heart medicines you are taking and what they are for. Your doctor or pharmacist can give you this information.

Remember to always let your doctor or pharmacist know what over-the-counter medicines you are taking. Over-the-counter medicines are medicines you can buy from a pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop without a prescription. Many over-the-counter medicines (including pain medicines, cold and flu medicines, supplements and vitamins) can interact with your heart medicines.  

Keep a list of the medicines you take, either on a piece of paper in your wallet or handbag or on your phone. There are also free medicine tracking apps available like MedicineWise: Manage Medicine.

For each medicine, it’s helpful to make a note of:

  • the name of the active ingredient and the brand name
  • the strength and dose
  • when and how often to take the medicine
  • how to take the medicine (for example, with food)  
  • what the medicine is for
  • the type of medicine (prescription or over-the-counter)
  • what to do if you miss a dose
  • any possible side effects and what you should do if you get a side effect.

Take your medicines list to all your health appointments.

Manage the cost of your heart medicines

  • Many heart medicines are available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). This means the out-of-pocket cost (or ‘co-payment’) is less if you have a Medicare card. The cost will be even less if you have a concession card.
  • Your pharmacist might ask you if you’d like to buy the cheaper (or generic) brand of a medicine. Generic medicines are as effective and safe as brand name medicines. This is because they contain the same chemical (active ingredient).
  • The Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Safety Net can help reduce the cost of your medicines. If you spend a certain amount on PBS medicines in a calendar year, you can apply for a PBS Safety Net card.

Find out more about your heart medicines 

Your doctor or pharmacist can answer any questions you have about your heart medicines.

Other reliable sources of information include:

  • Consumer medicines information leaflet. The leaflet comes with most medicines. It explains what the medicine is for, how to take it, and if there are any side effects. If you didn’t receive this, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also look a leaflet up on the NPS MedicineWise website.
  • Home Medicines Review. This is when your pharmacist checks the medicines you are taking at home. They can make sure you are taking the right medicines in the right way. A Home Medicines Review might be helpful if you:
    • are taking more than five medicines a day
    • have recently been in hospital
    • are confused or worried about your medicines
    • are having trouble remembering to take your medicines.
  • Medicines Line (1300 MEDICINE or 1300 633 424). This is a free telephone service. Registered pharmacists answer your questions about prescription and over-the-counter medicines. 
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1. Commonwealth of Australia as represented by the Department of Health and Aged Care. Australian Guideline for assessing and managing cardiovascular disease risk. 2023. www.cvdcheck.org.au/

2. Chew DP, Scott IA, Cullen L, et al. National Heart Foundation of Australia & Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand: Australian Clinical Guidelines for the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes 2016. Heart Lung Circ. 2016;25(9):895-951. doi:10.1016/j.hlc.2016.06.789

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Last updated18 January 2024