Heart Medications Archive

Don't let misconceptions about these medications prevent you from taking them. 

A small percentage of people who take cholesterol-lowering statins complain of muscle pain. This side effect, known as myalgia, may lead people to stop taking their medications, thereby missing out on the protection statins offer against heart attacks. Another concern is that myalgia might also cause muscle weakness, possibly increasing the risk of injuries, especially in older adults. But according to a small study in the Oct. 15, 2014, American Journal of Cardiology, statin-associated myalgia does not seem to affect muscle strength.

For the study, researchers measured muscle strength and self-reported physical activity in 11 people with a history of statin-associated muscle pain. Four people currently taking statins were tested initially and then again after two months off the medication. The other seven people, who were not taking statins at the start of the study, were tested initially and again after two months of restarting statins, or when their muscle complaints returned.

Highlights include promising new medications, devices, and procedures to prevent and treat heart disease and stroke.

Your brain will benefit from the heart-healthy steps you take to eat better, exercise more, and stress less.

Philosophers have long pondered the mysteries of heart and mind. Now scientists are working to unravel the flesh-and-blood linkage between the cardiovascular system and the brain. What they are finding is that the recipe for a strong heart is fundamentally the same as that for a sharp mind.

It's not quite DIY yet, but some people may be able to self-manage their blood pressure drugs with good results.

Today's medications are remarkably effective in controlling dangerous high blood pressure (hypertension). But the drugs don't work for everyone, and some people don't take their medications as prescribed. To compound the problem, doctors are often slow to make changes to a patient's drug regimen even when they see blood pressure readings that are clearly outside of the desired range.

They say you get what you pay for. But sometimes, paying less may lead to better results. People who were prescribed less-costly generic statins to lower their cholesterol levels were more likely to take their pills than people who were prescribed a brand-name statin, according to a study in the Sept. 15, 2014, Annals of Internal Medicine. The study compared data from nearly 84,000 people who started a generic statin with nearly 6,400 who started a brand-name drug. Those who took generic statins were also slightly less likely to be hospitalized for a serious heart problem or stroke or to die from any cause. The average copayment for a brand-name statin prescription was $48, compared with just $10 for generic statins. The cost factor may explain why people were more likely to take the medicine and therefore have better outcomes, the authors say.

Q. I'm 71 and have no sign of heart disease, but my doctor thinks I should take a generic statin drug. Will I really benefit from a statin, and is a generic as good as the brand-name drug?

A. I can understand why you ask. You're probably thinking, like the old adage says: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" While I can't comment on your particular case, I can tell you why I advise a lot of patients in their 70s and without signs of heart disease to take a statin.

In people with high blood pressure who are at greatest risk of heart attack and other cardiovascular problems, taking medication has nearly three times the impact as in those at low risk, says a study in The Lancet. The study confirms the value of considering a man's total cardiovascular risk when weighing treatment options.

Researchers pooled 11 clinical trials involving more than 50,000 people and divided them into four groups based on their 10-year risk of heart attack, stroke, reduced heart function (heart failure), and death. How many of these harmful outcomes could be prevented by taking blood pressure drugs for five years?

Some people can't tolerate statins, and others need additional medications to achieve healthy cholesterol levels.

In the realm of cardiovascular medicines, statins reign supreme. These drugs lower the risk of heart attack in people who have—or may develop—heart disease.

Both ACE inhibitors and ARBs also help stave off complications from heart failure and kidney disease.

When doctors prescribe drugs to treat high blood pressure, they often turn to two classes of medications: ACE inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs). These drugs are the first-line choice for people who also have diabetes—a common condition that often goes hand in hand with elevated blood pressure. Not only do these medications help prevent heart attacks in people with diabetes, they're also useful for people with weakened hearts and ailing kidneys.