How do heart pills work? | Cardiac tablets

How do heart pills work?

Most heart tablets act either on the heart itself, the blood vessels or the kidneys.

  • The effect of beta-blockers is based on blocking the receptors for adrenaline. Adrenaline is a hormone that is released in stressful situations and increases the heart rate and the power of the heart.

    In addition, excess of adrenaline causes adrenaline rebuilding processes of the heart, which in the long run limit the heart’s power. Beta-blockers therefore lower the heart rate and strength so that the heart has to work less.

  • Calcium antagonists block electrical channels for calcium. As a result, the diameter of vessels increases and the excitation and beating power of the heart is reduced.

    For this reason, they mainly have a blood pressure-lowering and heart rate-lowering effect.

  • Dehydration tablets prevent the resorption of salt and water from the urine in the kidney, thus causing fluid to be washed out. They thus reduce the volume in the tissue and blood system, thus lowering blood pressure and heart work.
  • Antiarrhythmics block electrical channels in the heart that conduct electricity through the heart. This slows down the excitation of the heart so that arrhythmias based on excitation that is too fast can be prevented.

Side effects and interactions

Heart medication has numerous side effects. Since most heart medications lower heart strength and blood pressure, there is a risk of circulatory problems, which can manifest themselves as dizziness, fatigue, but also dangerous drops in blood pressure with unconsciousness. This is especially true for nitro spray.

Nitrospray must also never be taken together with Sildenafil (Viagra), as the effect is intensified and leads to a sharp drop in blood pressure. Antiarrhythmic drugs can cause slow heart rhythm disturbances. Amiodarone can also cause thyroid disorders, pulmonary fibrosis, deposits in the skin and cornea with visual disturbances, as well as excitement, tingling and headaches.

Water medications can lead to dehydration and derailment of the salt balance, which in turn can trigger cardiac arrhythmia. Beta-blockers have a number of side effects such as bronchoconstriction, headache, circulatory problems, cold feeling in arms and legs and gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, beta blockers increase the effect of insulin and can lead to dangerous hypoglycaemia, which is noticed only late.

Furthermore, the simultaneous intake of calcium antagonists can lead to cardiac arrhythmia. Beta blockers should not be given to: Most antiarrhythmic drugs should not be given for slow heart rhythm disturbances. Water medications should not be given in cases of low blood pressure, salt balance disorders, urinary tract obstruction and severe liver dysfunction.

Read next article in this series:

All articles in this series:

  1. Cardiac tablets
  2. How do heart pills work?
  3. Dosage and intake