The information provided here is meant to give you a general idea about each of the medicine categories listed below. Listed medicines are only examples of pharmaceuticals within each group. Only the most general side effects are included, so ask your doctor if you need to take any special precautions. Use each of these medicines as recommended by your doctor, or according to the instructions provided. If you have further questions about usage or side effects, contact your doctor.
Emergency medical personnel may begin treating you with medicines before you reach the hospital. At the hospital, additional drugs will be given and you will likely receive medicines to take at home after you are discharged.
Prescription Medications
Opioid Analgesics
Common names include:
Morphine is given to relieve chest pain. Possible side effects include:
Nitrates
Nitroglycerin
Nitrates help relieve chest pain by dilating the arteries, which allows more blood to flow to the heart muscle. Early in treatment, nitroglycerin may be administered as a tablet placed under the tongue or infused through a vein. Long-term, nitroglycerin may be given on a regular basis through a patch, paste, or orally to control chronic chest pain.
Possible side effects include:
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
Thrombolytic Agents
Common names include:
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
- Streptokinase
- Reteplase
- Tenecteplase
- Lanoteplase
A drug to dissolve or break up blood clots in the coronary artery may be given via an IV. Early treatment, within three hours of the heart attack, offers the best chance for good results. Your medical history, age, and condition may prevent treatment with clot-busting drugs.
Possible side effects include:
Antiarrhythmic
During a heart attack, damage to the heart muscle can increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Unstable heart rhythms can prevent the heart from effectively pumping blood, and if serious, lead to sudden death. Antiarrhythmic drugs help the heart beat more normally, usually by suppressing abnormal beats or by regularizing the heart rate.
There are a wide variety of drugs available to treat the various causes of abnormal rhythms. In emergencies, some of these drugs are given via an IV. Oral forms of medicine are used to treat more chronic
arrhythmias. The main issue with these drugs is that unless the underlying rhythm problem can be corrected, they must be taken indefinitely. Also, one of the more unpredictable side effects of some of these medicines is the risk of making the arrhythmia worse. Talk to your doctor about the specific side effects or warning signs to watch for based on the drug you are taking.
Sodium Channel Blockers
Sodium channel blockers are a type of antiarrhythmic drugs. Examples of these medicines include:
Beta-Blockers
Common names include:
Another type of antiarrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers decrease demands on the heart and lower blood pressure. They may limit the amount of heart damage and help to prevent future heart attacks.
They can also be used for their antiarrhythmic effects.
Possible side effects include:
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- Fatigue
- Sexual dysfunction
Action Potential-Prolonging Agents
Action potential-prolonging agents are another type of antiarrhythmic drugs. Examples of these medicines include:
Calcium Channel Blockers
Common names include:
Another type of antiarrhythmic drugs, calcium channel blockers lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate. These may be given to patients who cannot take beta-blockers. They can also be used for their antiarrhythmic effects. Recent research indicates they are not helpful in the early treatment of heart attack, nor do they prevent future heart attacks.
Possible side effects include:
ACE Inhibitors
Common names include:
ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and help lower mortality in people who sustain significant damage to their heart muscle.
Possible side effects include:
- Low blood pressure
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Cough
- Swelling
- Skin rashes
Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers
Common names include:
Possible side effects include:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Lightheadedness
- Nasal congestion
- Back and leg pain
- Diarrhea
Antiplatelet Drugs
Common names include:
Antiplatelet drugs help prevent the blood from clotting. They may be given when aspirin cannot be used.
They may also be given in conjunction with aspirin to people who have had an
angioplasty.
Possible side effects include:
- Bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Stomach upset
Anticoagulants
Common names include:
Anticoagulants help to prevent the blood from clotting. It is often given to patients during heart procedures or after a clot-busting drug treatment.
Possible side effects include:
Statins
Common names include:
Statins are drugs that help to lower blood cholesterol levels. They may be prescribed along with a low cholesterol diet if you have
high cholesterol. Atorvastatin may reduce the risk of repeat stroke or heart attack.
Possible side effects include:
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Liver damage (rare)
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