Heart failure in humans

Drugs for cardiovascular insufficiency differ in the principle of action and purpose, they are designed to support the heart. Pathology requires lifelong treatment.

When prescribing treatment for a disease, the doctor takes into account its form (acute or chronic), pronounced symptoms and signs, age and individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Patients with this diagnosis should realize that taking medication is not a temporary measure, but becomes a part of life: the treatment of this disease is lifelong, the heart needs constant additional help.

Classification of drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular insufficiency

Cardiovascular insufficiency is a decrease in the pumping function of the heart, resulting in an imbalance between the body's need for blood and the real capacity of the organ. Pathology is provoked by causes such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, pulmonary diseases, rheumatism and myocarditis. The disease is diagnosed in about 10% of the elderly.

The classification of drugs used to treat cardiovascular insufficiency includes two groups: basic and additional.

The main ones are shown to all patients.

This group includes the following types of drugs:

• angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors are indicated for all patients at any stage of the disease;
• beta-blockers complement the action of ACE inhibitors. This combination of drugs allows you to achieve the best therapeutic effect;
• aldosterone antagonists help to avoid hyperhydration - excess fluid in the body, which occurs as a result of an imbalance in the water balance in the body;
• angiotensin receptor blockers are used to slow the progression of the disease and prevent it from progressing to a more severe stage;
• diuretics relieve swelling, restore water balance;
• cardiac glycosides slow down the heart rate, normalize blood pressure. There are three groups of this type of medicine: long-acting drugs (retained in the blood for up to 20 days), short-acting (up to 12 hours) and drugs that are used when providing first aid to seriously ill patients;
• vasodilators relieve unpleasant symptoms (Papaverine, Validol, Nitroglycerin).

Medicines can be synthetic or plant-based. Favorable effects on the work of the cardiovascular system have preparations based on valerian root, foxglove leaves, hawthorn flowers, motherwort or yarrow. Treatment with them has a sedative effect, helps relieve stress and calm the nervous system, which is an important aspect of treatment.

Additional funds are needed to support the body during the main therapy.

They operate in the following areas:

• relieve pronounced symptoms;
• prevent the manifestation of side effects from essential drugs;
• support the body of patients who have additional diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension).

The main and additional drugs are selected taking into account the specifics of the course of the disease. The drugs that this classification represents can be combined in different ways depending on the degree and severity of the pathology.

Medications provide the heart with additional help: it begins to work better and pump blood.

First aid and basic medicines for acute cardiovascular insufficiency

The acute form of the disease is a syndrome in which all clinical manifestations of the disease (signs and symptoms) rapidly manifest and develop. The reasons for this condition are various disorders of the heart and blood vessels, inflammatory processes in the myocardium, and ineffective treatment.

Patients with such a diagnosis should be urgently provided with emergency care, which includes the phased administration of drugs with the following action:

• to restore normal heart rhythm and blood flow;
• to relieve an asthmatic attack;
• to increase the level of oxygen in the blood;
• in order to stimulate the contractile activity of the myocardium;
• to reduce the amount of blood circulating through the arteries and vessels.

Acute cardiovascular insufficiency requires an urgent call to the doctor. Over the phone, ambulance workers can advise on how to provide first aid: it is necessary to accurately describe the patient's condition, severe symptoms, signs, last medication taken, possible causes that provoked an attack (stressful situation, physical activity).

Your doctor may recommend one of these medications:

• Nitroglycerin to reduce the number of heartbeats;
• ammonia is given to the patient to smell in order to recover;
• Validol or Corvalol normalizes the work of the heart, relieves symptoms (shortness of breath, tachycardia).

The patient can be provided with emergency home care: it is necessary to remove tight clothing from him, provide him with a semi-lying or semi-sitting position, calm the person, bring him to himself, open the windows. In cardiac arrest, chest compressions and artificial respiration should be started immediately.

Treatment of the chronic form: basic drugs

The chronic form of the disease develops slowly, its symptoms have varying degrees of severity. Emergency care is required only during periods of exacerbation and the development of complications.

Each patient with such a diagnosis should be registered with a cardiologist who selects a complex of therapeutic drugs on an individual basis.

Before this, a complete examination of the body is carried out: an anamnesis (the doctor collects information about symptoms, additional diseases, genetic predisposition), an analysis of the work of the heart.

This pathology requires lifelong support with several types of medications.

 Drugs for treatment should have the following properties:

• expand small vessels;
• improve blood microcirculation;
• reduce the volume of blood in the body;
• increase blood flow;
• prevent the formation of blood clots;
• improve tissue respiration, which helps the heart withstand significant physical exertion;
• normalize metabolism.

To achieve these effects, drugs such as Venomax, Midivirin, Apimal, Chondromarin are prescribed. The dosage and duration of therapeutic courses are determined individually.

To reduce pressure and unload the myocardium, Captopril, Spirapril, Enalapril, Ramipril can be prescribed. The action of these drugs is complemented by cardiac glycosides, which significantly reduce the heart rate: Digoxin, Dilanacin. If the patient is concerned about edema, then the doctor, having determined their cause, may prescribe several or one type of diuretic for treatment (Furosemide, Amiloride, Torasemide, etc.).

All these drugs are selected in a complex in such a way as to minimize the manifestation of side effects. This combination of drugs is the most optimal.

Treatment of this disease requires time and an individual approach. To reduce the risk of developing acute cardiovascular failure, which is often fatal, will help timely visit a doctor immediately after the first signs of pathology have been identified: shortness of breath, fatigue, tachycardia, weakness. Proper treatment can extend a person's life for many years. If the patient has developed an acute form, he should be provided with emergency care, and later - a full-fledged high-quality treatment.

The causes of the disease determine preventive measures: in order to protect yourself from the development of heart failure, you need to monitor nutrition, lead an active lifestyle, treat all internal organs in time and prevent the development of complications.