Heart Medications Archive

Two medications now in development, enlicitide and obicetrapib, can lower harmful LDL cholesterol and may be promising options for people who cannot tolerate statins or who still have high LDL despite their current treatment.

After a successful catheter ablation to treat atrial fibrillation, some people may safely stop taking anti-clotting medications. But the decision to discontinue those drugs depends on a person’s underlying risk of stroke rather than the success of the procedure.

Many people with atrial fibrillation — a rapid, irregular heart rhythm — need medications to control symptoms and lower their risk of stroke. These include drugs that slow down the heart, help restore its rhythm, and prevent blood clots.

Hospital discharge instructions about medications can be complicated and confusing. Having a family member or friend along as a second set of ears during the discharge meeting can be helpful.

A 2025 suggests that an experimental drug called lorundrostat may be an effective add-on therapy for high blood pressure that has not responded to medication. The drug works by reducing aldosterone, a hormone that helps regulate blood pressure.

If a blood clot lodges in an artery or vein, it can choke off blood flow to the heart, brain, or lung. Often called blood thinners, anti-clotting drugs play a big role in treating heart disease. But they can cause minor (and sometimes serious) bleeding, ranging from nosebleeds to bleeding inside the brain. New solutions to balance clot prevention and excess bleeding are in the works, including low-dose drug combinations and new medications.

For people with a family history of early heart disease, getting a coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan plus intensive coaching and a statin may help limit the progression of the plaque in their arteries, according to a 2025 study.

A 2025 study found that a new type of medication may safely slow the progression of aortic stenosis (narrowing of the aortic valve) and delay the need for valve replacement.

When blood pressure remains high despite treatment, making certain lifestyle changes can help. Examples include reducing dietary sodium and increasing dietary potassium, losing weight, limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day, exercising (doing aerobics and strength training), using tools that improve medication adherence (such as an automatic pill dispenser, a medication diary, a smartphone alarm, or a reminder app), quitting smoking, getting more sleep, managing stress, and reducing caffeine intake.