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Healtheuniversity > English > Cardiac College > Treat Heart Disease > Heart Medications

Heart Medicines

Cardiac medicines can help you improve and manage your health.

With your medicines nearby, read the information on this website to know:

  • the class of medicine
  • the benefits of taking the medicine
  • what the medicine does
  • side effects
  • the common names of the medicine

Why Are Cardiac Medicines Important?

People with heart disease often take medicines to improve and manage their health.

Your doctor will decide on the best combination of medicines for your condition and situation. Your pharmacist will then work with you to ensure that the medicines you use are the most effective.

You may need to take some of these medicines for the rest of your life.

Cardiac medicines can:

  • improve the lining of your arteries
  • improve your cholesterol
  • control your blood pressure
  • prevent blood clots
  • reduce the amount of work your heart has to do

Classes of Medicines

Medicines are divided into classes. Each class does something different to help manage your condition. Common classes of medicines are:

Your Cardiac Medicines

The first step in managing your medicines is to know what you are taking.

With your medicines nearby, read the information on this site. We have listed:

  • the class of medicine
  • the benefits of taking the medicine
  • what the medicine does (the action)
  • side effects
  • common names of the medicines
    • Brand names are listed for information only. UHN’s Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation Program is not recommending or endorsing any specific brand of medicine.

Resources

  1. Your local pharmacist can help you with:
    • medicine organizer packs
    • medicine delivery
    • medicine counselling
  2. The MedsCheck program allows you to schedule a 20 to 30 minute one-on-one meeting with your community pharmacist to ensure that you are safely and appropriately using all types of medicine. Think of it as a comprehensive medicine review. And it´s free! Just bring your OHIP card.
    Visit the Visit the MedsCheck website (opens in new window) or Contact INFOline at 1-866-255-6701 or TTY 1-800-387-5559
  3. Medication Information (The Heart and Stroke Foundation) (opens in new window)
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