Healing is two-step process. Your mind can achieve great things
and healing is one of them. First step is getting peace of mind. Peace of mind
comes with the knowledge that you went out to do something for yourself. This
starts by seeing a specialist and getting the prescription necessary to
improving your condition. Buying the medication and
following through with the schedule in taking what your doctor prescribed.
Understanding what you are taking is absolutely necessary to attain this. It
comes in knowing that you are doing something to help yourself reach your goal
of self-preservation.
Second step is to improve your physical state. This goes to show
that the person is dedicated in getting better. Thus follows the conscious
effort in avoiding the things which may worsen the condition like unhealthy
food, vices, stress and overall unhealthy lifestyle. Taking your prescription
regularly and on time is a must. Avoid cutting the recommended dosage or
prolonging the medication. Taking some medicine doesn't equate to the effect of
taking all your prescribed medicine. There is a reason why it was given all in
one prescription. Mostly some of it will not work without the others.
Reading the material below, understanding the benefits of your prescription
and its effects will help you understand what your cardiologist wants to
achieve.
Here are some of the most common medications used for cardiomyopathy
1.
Beta-adrenergic (beta)
blockers
·
Beta blockers decrease the heart's demand for oxygen
which decreases the workload on the heart.
·
In slowing the heart rate it lessens the symptoms of
heart failure.
·
This is prescribed to lower blood pressure, slow the
heart rate and by reducing the effect of adrenaline on the heart.
·
Studies show the increase survival by about 30-35
percent in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
·
Beta blockers can prevent further heart enlargement
and scarring.
·
By preventing the enlargement of the heart, Beta
blockers decrease risk of for people diagnosed with cardiomyopathy.
2.
Diuretics
·
It is more commonly called water pills.
·
It helps to promote urine production in the kidneys
through relieving excess fluid in the body.
·
This decreases symptoms of shortness of breath,
bloating and swelling.
3.
Positive inotropic
medications
·
Positive inotropic
medication is used to strengthen the contractions of the heart.
·
Thisis prescribed to people with severe dilated cardiomyopathy.
Examples of these drugs include
the following:
§ digoxin
Ø Digoxin has been used for a very long time to improve heart contractions
and seems to work best in people who have severe heart failure complicated by
atrial fibrillation because digoxin can slow a rapid heart rate.
·
Studies show that these drugs may accelerate the
degeneration of the heart by forcing an already weakened organ to work harder.
·
Hence it is usually only used for a short period of
time, or when there are no other treatment options. Take these only up to the
time your doctor recommends and bring up if there are any adverse effects felt
in your body.
§ milrinone
§ dopamine
§ dobutamine
·
Positive inotropic medications are not recommended for
hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patients because they can worsen the condition.
So far, so good in learning about prescription drugs
given by doctors for people diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. Read on to learn
more about the other drugs possibly given to you to reduce or eliminate certain
symptoms.
4. Vasodilators
Ø These commonly used to reduce symptoms of heart failure.
Ø It can prolong the life of people with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Ø Examples of vasodilators which cause blood vessels throughout the
body to relax are the following:
·
(ACE) Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
·
(ARBs) Angiotensin receptor blockers
Ø Benefits include the following:
Ø Decreases the resistance to blood flow measured as blood pressure,
Ø Blood pressure change which in turn reduces the workload on the
heart.
Ø Vasodilators can also reverse the enlargement and scarring of the heart.
Ø Taking these prescribed drugs can improve symptoms decrease the
risk of hospitalization and death.
Ø These are vasodilators which also reduce the workload of the heart
and have been shown to improve symptoms and survival in dilated cardiomyopathy.
·
hydralazine
·
nitrates
5.
Aldosterone blockers
Ø Used to help balance electrolytes in the body
Ø Prevents heart and blood vessel scarring, stiffening, and
enlargement
Ø Studies have shown that aldosterone blockers can improve survival
in patients with severe dilated cardiomyopathy
Ø Clinical studies also show improvement for those who have had a
heart attack complicated by cardiomyopathy.
6. Antiarrhythmic
Ø Antiarrhythmics increase the efficiency of the heart by regulating
the heart rhythm.
Ø These are drugs alter the way in which electrical currents are
transmitted through the heart muscle.
Ø The heart pumps most efficiently when it beats in a regular
rhythm.
Ø These drugs are used only in selected patients because they can
have significant side effects. Do not take these drugs without a prescription.
Having learned a lot about your prescription drugs,
now you are armed with the necessary knowledge to understand why your cardiologist
gave this to you. Congratulations for you have just started the process of
healing, both inside and out. Always keep the positive outlook in life, for
this will provide good results slowly but surely.
No comments:
Post a Comment