Below is some brief information about some medicines commonly used by cardiologists. More detailed information is printed on the insert leaflet often included when medicines are dispensed. It has become clear over the last 15 years that a range of drugs are useful not just in controlling symptoms but also in improving the outlook of patients with heart disease. Benefits include

• Prolongation of life
• Reduced numbers of heart attacks and strokes
• Reduced need for emergency hospital admission
• Reduced need for procedures such as angioplasty or bypass surgery

Although side effects will occur in some patients, most are relatively minor and the vast majority of patients experience no problems whatever with their treatment. Benefit is often increased by a combination of tablets and many heart patients will need to take three or more sorts of tablets on a daily basis to give them the best long term outcome.