Medication Management

You play a key role in developing your medication treatment plan. It's important to work closely with your health care providers. These could include your doctor, nurse and pharmacist. © AHA

Taking medications properly is another part of compliance. Medicines may not work unless taken as prescribed. Or they can leave you dizzy, sick or worse. Or, without knowing it, you could counteract one medicine by taking it with another. Take part in treatment decisions and, if you don't understand something, ask questions. Carefully follow the agreed upon treatment plan, and watch for and work with your healthcare team to solve any problems.

Dr. Clyde Yancy, former American Heart Association president, stresses the importance of understanding and taking your medications.

Learn how cholesterol affects your health and how lifestyle changes and medicines can help improve your cholesterol levels.

Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) are medicines. They are most often prescribed to treat high blood pressure, but they can be used to treat other conditions. This sheet tells you how ARBs work and how to use them effectively.

ACE inhibitors widen blood vessels and increase the amount of blood your heart pumps. These medications also lower blood pressure and decrease the amount of work your heart has to perform.

Warfarin is medicine that controls how your blood clots. It's used to help prevent blood clots that may cause serious health problems. These problems include heart attack, stroke, a blockage in an artery or vein, or a blood clot that travels to the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

"The purpose of a diuretic, or "water pill" is to help your body get rid of excess water and salt. Diuretics can help you feel better and have more energy. They may also help lower blood pressure."

Beta-blockers decrease your heart's workload and help it beat more regularly. This can reduce chest pain. It may also lower your blood pressure.

Medication can be a key tool in managing heart disease. You may need several types. Some medications can help prevent the blood clots that cause heart attacks. Others can help control cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Learn what type of medication you're taking, what it treats, and how to take it safely. If you have questions about why you need a medication or how it works, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Medications are prescribed in just the right doses for your heart condition. They work only if you take them exactly as directed.

Follow these tips to take your medications safely after heart attack.

Medicines are important post-heart attack to help your heart heal and reduce your risk factors.

Questions to ask about your medications.

Tips and types of medicines needed after a heart attack.

Follow this checklist to properly and safely take warfarin.

Follow this checklist to help prevent common injuries while on warfarin, and what to do in case of emergency.

Learn which foods can affect how your warfarin therapy is working.

Watch how blood clots are helpful in healing skin injuries, but dangerous when they form inside a blood vessel.

Watch how a blood clot can threaten your life, when it forms inside of a blood vessel.

Learn the goal of anticoagulant medication, and who may be prescribed anticoagulant therapy.

Follow this checklist to help you take your anticoagulant safely.

An anticoagulant is a drug that keeps blood cells from sticking together. It keeps new blood clots from forming. It can keep existing clots from getting bigger. But it does put you at risk for uncontrolled bleeding. Let's learn about how to use your drug safely.

See what common and uncommon side effects you may experience when taking an anticoagulant, and when to call either your doctor or 911 for help.

Watch how you can help prevent common injuries while on an anticoagulant, and what to do in case of emergency.

Learn how to properly inject Lovenox and understand that it is a medication used to reduce the risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins of your body.

Learn how to properly inject Enoxaparin and understand that it is a medication used to reduce the risk of developing blood clots in the deep veins of your body.

Find out why anticoagulants, or blood thinner drugs, are prescribed and how they work. You'll need to follow some important but simple self-care rules to stay safe on blood thinners. Watch this video to learn more.

Anticoagulants and antiplatelets are medicines that reduce blood clotting in an artery, vein or the heart. Doctors prescribe these to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots. Blood clots can block blood flow to your heart or your brain causing a heart attack or stroke. © AHA

Anticoagulants and antiplatelets are medicines that reduce blood clotting in an artery, vein or the heart. Doctors prescribe these to help prevent heart attacks and strokes caused by blood clots. Blood clots can block blood flow to your heart or your brain causing a heart attack or stroke. © AHA

The more conventional anticoagulants are warfarin (Coumadin) and heparin. DOACs are a newer class of medications that may be more convenient to take if you are a suitable candidate for them. © AHA

Platelets are small particles in the blood that clump together to form blood clots. These blood clots can lead to the sudden clotting of a coronary stent and to a heart attack. Antiplatelet agents are a class of drugs that stop the platelets from clumping together and forming blood clots. Many heart attack and stroke patients - and people seeking to avoid these events - are treated with two types of antiplatelet agents. This is called dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). © AHA

Blood thinners or anticoagulants are medicines that help prevent blood clots from forming. Your healthcare provider will help you decide which medicine is best for you. Read on to learn more about safely taking blood thinners.