Medications are an important part of your treatment plan for heart failure. Your clinician will prescribe medications to protect your heart and help you to feel better. Your healthcare team is here to help you learn about your medications and manage possible side effects.

Taking Your Heart Medications Safely

It’s likely you will take one or more medications. How much you take (your dose) may change over time. Follow these tips to help you
manage your medications.

• Carefully follow all directions in taking your medications.
• Don't skip doses. Get a pill box or set an alarm to help you remember when to take your medications.
• Know what side effects to watch out for. Talk to your clinician right away if you have any side effects.
• Renew your prescriptions in time so you don't run out.
• Talk with your healthcare team before taking any over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements. Some medicines and herbs can affect how well your heart medicine works. Some can be dangerous to take at the same time.
• Avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs, such as Motrin®, Advil®, Aleve®.
• If you are having trouble paying for your medications, talk to your healthcare team.

Medication Benefits

Heart failure medications help to keep your heart working so you can live a full and enjoyable life. Each works in a different way so you can:

• Live longer
• Breathe easier
• Have more energy
• Increase your activity level
• Have less swelling
• Stay out of the hospital

Blood Tests

While taking these medications, your clinician may order laboratory tests. It is important that you get these tests done on time. These tests can show how your body is responding to the medicine. Based on your test results, your clinician may continue with your medicines, adjust the dose, or change your medicines.