Heart disease treatment and prevention

The heart and blood vessels can be affected by many different medical conditions and there are a huge number of medicines available to manage them. Often a combination of different medicines will be used to manage your condition as safely and effectively as possible. For example, people with high blood pressure (hypertension) might need a diuretic such as bendroflumethiazide as well as a beta-blocker like atenolol or bisoprolol. If you have had a heart attack or stroke, you may also take aspirin to 'thin' the blood and simvastatin or atorvastatin to lower cholesterol levels. People with angina may also use a nitrate medicine such as glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) to relieve the pain of an attack. Your doctor will work with you to find the medicines most suitable for you.