If you are having symptoms from your heart valve problem, certain medicines can ease them. Other medicines help prevent problems that may occur due to valve disease. Your health care provider can discuss what's right for you. Take any medicine exactly as you are instructed.
Medicines for symptoms
Here are some types of medicines that may be prescribed:
-
Diuretics help rid the body of excess fluid through your urine. Having less fluid to pump makes a heart’s job easier. Getting rid of extra water can also help reduce swelling, bloating, and shortness of breath.
-
Digitalis helps the heart pump with more strength. This allows the heart to pump more blood with each beat. Digitalis may also keep the heartbeat regular.
-
ACE inhibitors or ARBs make blood flow more easily by relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure. This means the heart doesn’t have to work as hard to pump the same amount of blood.
-
Beta-blockers slow the heart rate, which lessens the work the heart has to do and keeps the heartbeat regular. They can also help the heart pump better.
-
Antiarrhythmics control a fast or irregular heartbeat (palpitations).
-
Vasodilators lessen the workload of the heart by opening and relaxing the blood vessels.
-
Antibiotics treat or prevent infections.
Other medicines
Problems with heart valves can make the heart more likely to form blood clots or become infected. Medicines that help prevent these problems may be prescribed for you.
-
Anticoagulants prevent blood clots from forming inside the heart chambers or on a damaged heart valve. These medicines may require close monitoring.
Find a cardiac specialist
Because every beat matters, our cardiac doctors are dedicated to providing care like no other can.
Related Articles
Taking Your Blood Pressure
You can take your own blood pressure reading using a digital monitor. Follow these step-by-step directions.
Pacemakers
A pacemaker is a small electronic device that helps your heart's electrical system beat at the right pace. Inserting the pacemaker into your body is called implantation. You stay awake during the procedure.
Heart Failure: Being Active
Being active doesn't mean that you have to wear yourself out. Even a little movement each day helps to strengthen your heart. If you can't get out to exercise, you can do simple stretching and strengthening exercises at home. Read on for helpful tips to be a bit more active.
Event Monitor
An event monitor is a portable device used to record your heart's electrical activity when you have symptoms. It records the same information as an electrocardiogram (ECG), but for longer durations of time. Most of these devices can send the recorded information directly to your healthcare provider. This allows him or her to analyze the electrical activity of your heart while you are having symptoms.
