Medicines and Products for Heart Attack

A heart attack needs emergency treatment in hospital. Call 112 or 102. Do not treat yourself with tablets at home.

In hospital, doctors may use

• Aspirin and another antiplatelet to stop clots growing
• Clot-dissolving medicine (thrombolysis) if angioplasty is not quickly available
• Heparin or similar blood thinners
• Pain relief and oxygen when needed
• Beta blockers, ACE inhibitors or ARBs and statins to protect the heart
• Nitrates for chest pain, when blood pressure is adequate
• Angioplasty with a stent, or bypass surgery, as procedures to restore blood flow

Medicines after a heart attack

Most people take several medicines for years:

• Antiplatelets (aspirin plus another drug for a period after a stent) to prevent clots
• Statins to lower cholesterol and stabilise plaques
• Beta blockers to slow the heart and reduce strain
• ACE inhibitors or ARBs to protect the heart and lower blood pressure
• Diabetes and blood pressure medicines as needed

Safety points

• Never stop these medicines on your own, especially after a stent, because stopping early can cause a clot and another attack.
• Report black stools, unusual bleeding, severe dizziness, swelling, or muscle pain to your doctor.
• Tell every doctor, dentist and pharmacist about your heart medicines.
• Avoid NSAID painkillers unless your doctor agrees.
• Do not use herbal or "heart tonic" products as a substitute for prescribed medicine.

Key point

Take your medicines as prescribed and keep follow-up visits.

Before your appointment

Bring all your reports, ECGs and medicine strips, and a list of every medicine and supplement you take, including herbal products. Note when symptoms occurred, what brought them on and how long they lasted. Share your family history of heart disease, and your smoking, alcohol, diabetes and blood pressure history. Ask about cardiac rehabilitation and the warning signs that mean you should call 112 or 102.