Drug treatment for heart failure

[Tracie Lynn]

Heart failure is a disorder in which the heart is unable to keep up with the demands of the body, leading to reduced blood flow, back-up (congestion) of blood in the veins and lungs, and/or other changes that may further weaken or stiffen the heart. Drug treatment of heart failure involves

Drugs to help relieve symptoms: Diuretics, vasodilators, or digoxin
Drugs to help improve survival: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitors (ARNIs), sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors, or sinus node inhibitors

The type of drug used depends on the type of heart failure. In systolic heart failure (heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, HFrEF), all drug classes helpful. In diastolic heart failure (heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, HFpEF), only ACE inhibitors, ARBs, aldosterone antagonists, and beta-blockers are typically used. In heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction, ARNIs may be helpful.
It is important for people to take their drugs regularly and be sure not to let the prescription run out.