The common types of medications used to treat coronary heart disease (CHD) include:
- Nitrate medications: Examples include nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate, and long-acting nitroglycerin preparations. These medications dilate the coronary arteries, increase oxygen supply to the myocardium, and relieve angina.
- Beta-blockers: Examples include propranolol, metoprolol, and carvedilol. These medications lower heart rate, reduce blood pressure, decrease myocardial oxygen demand, and alleviate angina.
- Calcium channel blockers: Examples include verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem. These medications inhibit calcium ion entry into myocardial cells, reduce myocardial contractility, and decrease myocardial oxygen demand.
- Coronary artery vasodilators: Examples include dipyridamole and molsidomine. These medications dilate the coronary arteries, increase oxygen supply to the myocardium.
- Antiplatelet medications: Examples include aspirin, dipyridamole, and clopidogrel. These medications inhibit platelet aggregation, reducing the risk of blood clot formation.
- Lipid-lowering medications: Examples include fenofibrate, simvastatin, ezetimibe, omega-3 fatty acids, and omega-3 fatty acid ethyl esters. These medications lower cholesterol levels in the blood, alleviating atherosclerosis.
- Thrombolytic medications: Examples include warfarin, heparin, urokinase, and streptokinase. These medications dissolve blood clots, improving blood flow.
The selection of these medications depends on the specific condition of the patient and the advice of the doctor. Some patients may require the use of multiple medications simultaneously. It is important to follow the doctor’s instructions, undergo regular check-ups, and be aware of the potential side effects of these medications. Additionally, lifestyle adjustments such as smoking cessation, limiting alcohol consumption, maintaining a healthy sleep routine, and adopting a balanced diet are important for CHD patients.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death globally. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2019, cardiovascular diseases, which include CHD, were responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths worldwide. This accounts for 32% of all global deaths, making cardiovascular diseases the number one cause of death globally.
In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about 659,000 people die from heart disease each year, which is 1 in every 4 deaths. Coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, killing over 360,000 people annually.
In Europe, the European Heart Network (EHN) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) provide data indicating that cardiovascular diseases cause around 4 million deaths each year in Europe, with coronary heart disease being a major contributor.
These statistics highlight the significant global burden of coronary heart disease and underscore the importance of preventive measures and effective management strategies.
