What medicine should you take for heart failure?
Heart failure (HF) is a common chronic disease, and its incidence is increasing year by year as the population ages and lifestyle changes. In the past 10 days, there has been a lot of discussion on heart failure treatment drugs across the Internet, especially the selection and precautions of drug treatment options. This article will give you a detailed introduction to commonly used drugs for heart failure and their mechanisms of action based on recent hot topics.
1. Principles of drug treatment of heart failure
Drug treatments for heart failure aim to relieve symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow disease progression. According to recent medical guidelines and expert consensus, drug treatment for heart failure mainly includes the following categories:
| drug class | Representative medicine | Main function |
|---|---|---|
| diuretics | Furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide | Reduce edema and relieve dyspnea |
| Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) | Captopril, enalapril | Reduce cardiac load and improve prognosis |
| Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) | Valsartan, Losartan | Alternative to ACEI for patients with intolerance |
| beta blockers | Metoprolol, Bisoprolol | Slow down the heart rate and reduce myocardial oxygen consumption |
| aldosterone receptor antagonist | Spironolactone, eplerenone | Reduce myocardial fibrosis and improve prognosis |
| Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor (SGLT2i) | Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin | Reduce risk of heart failure hospitalization |
2. Recent hot discussions: Application of SGLT2i in the treatment of heart failure
In the past 10 days, SGLT2i drugs (such as dapagliflozin and empagliflozin) have become a hot topic in the treatment of heart failure. This type of drug was originally used to treat diabetes, but recent studies have found that it also has significant benefits for patients with heart failure. Here is a summary of recent research data:
| Research name | Main findings | Publication time |
|---|---|---|
| DAPA-HF study | Dapagliflozin reduces the risk of cardiovascular death or worsening in patients with heart failure by 26% | Updated October 2023 |
| EMPEROR-Preserved Research | Empagliflozin reduces hospitalization risk by 21% in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction | Reported in October 2023 |
3. Combined use and precautions of heart failure drugs
Treatment of heart failure often requires the use of a combination of drugs to achieve optimal results. The following are common combination medication regimens and precautions:
| joint program | Advantages | Things to note |
|---|---|---|
| ACEI/ARB + beta blocker | Synergistically improve ventricular remodeling | Blood pressure and kidney function need to be monitored |
| ACEI/ARB + aldosterone antagonist | further reduce mortality | Be wary of hyperkalemia |
| Triple therapy (ACEI/ARB + beta blocker + aldosterone antagonist) | gold standard treatment plan | Dosage needs to be adjusted individually |
| Join SGLT2i | Provide extra protection | Be aware of genital infection risks |
4. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Medication for Patients
Based on the hot issues recently discussed by patients, we have compiled the following frequently asked questions and answers:
1. Do heart failure drugs need to be taken for life?
Most heart failure drugs need to be taken long-term or even lifelong, and stopping the drugs without authorization may worsen the condition. Any dosage adjustments should be made under the guidance of a physician.
2. What should I do if side effects occur after taking the medicine?
Common side effects such as dry cough (ACEI), fatigue (beta blockers), etc. should be informed to the doctor in time. The type or dosage of the drug may need to be adjusted. Do not stop taking the drug on your own.
3. Can Chinese medicine replace Western medicine in the treatment of heart failure?
There is currently insufficient evidence to suggest that traditional Chinese medicine can replace standard heart failure medications. Traditional Chinese medicine can be used as auxiliary treatment, but it must be used under the guidance of a doctor.
5. Daily life suggestions for patients with heart failure
In addition to drug therapy, lifestyle modifications are equally important in heart failure management:
| life aspects | Suggestions | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| diet | Low salt (<3g/day), limited water | Reduce the burden on the heart |
| sports | Moderate aerobic exercise | Improve cardiopulmonary function |
| Monitor | Weigh yourself daily | Early detection of fluid retention |
| Vaccination | Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine | Prevent infection-induced worsening of heart failure |
The treatment of heart failure is a long-term process that requires the close cooperation of patients, their families, and the medical team. Regular follow-up, standardized medication and a healthy lifestyle are the keys to managing heart failure. If you have any questions about medication, please consult your cardiologist promptly.
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