For people with heart failure, medication is an important part of the treatment plan. But the medications themselves can quickly become confusing and overwhelming.
Here are five tips that will give you a better understanding of heart failure medications and where to get answers when you have questions.
Understand Which Heart Failure Medications Are Recommended — And Why
Different types of medications treat different heart failure symptoms or aspects of heart failure, which is why it’s important to understand what they’re prescribed to treat heart failure and why they’re being prescribed.
Amy Marzolf, MSN, CRNP, a Heart Failure Clinical Practitioner at Penn Medicine, explains: “Sometimes when people look at the patient's medications, they will say something like, ‘Why are you on all of those blood pressure pills when you have low blood pressure?’” In this case, she offers the following clarification, “Heart failure patients are on these medications not necessarily for blood pressure management, but rather for heart failure management.”
Always talk to the physician or pharmacist if you have questions
Physicians and pharmacists can answer any questions you may have about the prescribed heart failure medications.
Also, be sure to speak with the physician or pharmacist before you take any other medications, including over-the-counter products, such as ibuprofen.
Medications can sometimes interact with one another, even if they are used to treat completely unrelated issues. Interactions can increase or decrease medications' effectiveness, or increase the risk for harmful side effects.
Watch for certain heart failure side effects
The most common side effect with heart failure medications is dizziness, particularly when changing positions.
“Typically, people will describe getting dizzy after they lean down to pick something up, when they get up out of bed, or if they change positions quickly,” explains Amy. “It should last only a few seconds and should improve as you change positions slowly.”
“But if patients are having sustained dizziness that is inhibiting their life or lasting for a longer period of time, they should talk to their provider,” she recommends.
Side effects can also vary depending on the type of medication. Some side effects may not be outwardly noticeable and therefore need to be monitored with blood work.
“Many of the medications used for heart failure require blood work to monitor your kidney function and electrolytes,” Amy says. “Ask the provider if this is necessary, and make sure to have the requested follow-up lab work to ensure your loved one’s safety.”
Develop a system for taking and tracking heart failure medications
Once you know the what, why, and how of your loved one’s heart failure medications, it’s time to come up with a tracking system.
“Heart failure medications need to be taken as prescribed on a daily basis (some once, twice, or even three times a day),” explains Amy.
It takes a few months on these medications to see any changes. Even after a patient is feeling better, these medications must be continued. Most medicines will be continued for life.
Amy adds that, “If you run out of a medication or there is no refill, do not assume the medicine is ‘done.’ Speak with your provider. Don't stop anything without reviewing with their cardiologist.”
You may want to start by drawing up a list of medication instructions. Include a description or picture of what the medication looks like to avoid confusion.
The American Heart Association has a chart you can print and fill out to keep track of various medications. You can also use a spreadsheet or medication tracker app for a digital copy of this information.
If your loved one has to take various medications throughout the day, consider colored stickers (red for morning, yellow for afternoon, blue for nighttime)—just remember to write down what each color represents. Most major pharmacies also carry timer caps, days of the week packs and offer automated reminders, by email, text or phone.
Surround yourself with people that support your lifestyle changes
“Often times, it is difficult for patients with heart failure and their loved ones because they may not look sick, but they feel very tired and weak,” says Amy.
For caregivers, Amy says: “Keep an eye on your loved ones to make sure they are adjusting to their medication regimen. Remember that in addition to medical therapy, managing heart failure involves very significant lifestyle changes, including limiting salt and managing fluid intake as well as writing weights down daily.”
She explains that these aspects of care can be as critical as medical therapy in managing heart failure. Patients will need a lot of support and understanding as they deal with these changes and their medical therapy.
Heart failure is a complex, yet manageable disease. The right care team can help you not just live with heart failure, but thrive with heart failure. At Penn Medicine, we’ve built one of the nation’s largest heart failure programs. For patients, this means access to more advanced and specialized clinicians than anywhere else in the region.