ACE (angiotensin-converting-enzyme) inhibitors
Heart failure medications that relax the body’s blood vessels. They work by stopping the body from making angiotensin, a substance in the blood that makes vessels tighten and raises blood pressure.
Angina
A medical term for chest pain that occurs because there is not enough oxygen delivered to the heart muscle.
Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs)
Medications that lower blood pressure similarly to ACE inhibitors. ARBs are different because they stop angiotensin from working (instead of stopping the body from making angiotensin).
Antihypertensives
Medications that may lower blood pressure.
Beta-blockers
Medications that may keep the heart rate from increasing in response to stress.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs)
Drugs that may lower blood pressure by relaxing arteries and veins.
Congestion
Accumulation of excessive blood or fluid in the body’s vessels or organs.
Congestive heart failure (CHF)
A common form of heart failure that causes swelling and fluid retention in the legs and ankles and congestion in the lungs.
Coronary artery disease
A condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle become blocked. Less oxygen-rich blood can flow to the heart, making it weak. Severe cases can result in heart attack.
Digoxin (or digitalis)
A medication that may make the heart pump more strongly and may also help control certain types of irregular heartbeats.
Diuretic (or water pill)
A medication that helps the kidneys eliminate salt and water from the bloodstream and increases the rate of urine formation. This helps to reduce high levels of fluid in people with heart failure.
Heart attack (or myocardial infarction or MI)
Injury to a section of the heart muscle usually caused by a clot obstructing blood supply to that area of the heart.
Heart failure
Heart failure is a serious illness in which the heart doesn’t pump blood through your body as well as it should. Your heart still beats, but it pumps less nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood to the rest of your body. Because of this, heart failure can make you feel tired or weak. Heart failure can also cause swelling and fluid buildup in your legs, feet, and even your lungs. Fluid buildup in your lungs is often referred to as “congestion,” which is why heart failure is sometimes called 'congestive heart failure (CHF).'
Heart valve
A structure in the heart that opens and closes with each heartbeat. The heart has four valves that work together to control the flow of blood through the heart and body.
Inotropes
Drugs that stimulate the heart to contract more forcefully.
Nitrates
Medications that may relax blood vessels and make it easier for blood to flow. Nitroglycerin tablets are commonly prescribed for chest pain.
Nitroglycerin (intravenous)
The IV form of nitroglycerin may relax blood vessels that may be given in the hospital to treat acutely decompensated heart failure.
Palpitations
Rapid or irregular heartbeats.
Potassium
A mineral that works with sodium and calcium to help control normal heart rhythm and water balance. Potassium also helps with normal muscle function.
Side effect
A secondary reaction that results from a medication or therapy. Side effects of some heart failure medications include headaches, nausea, dizziness, and low blood pressure.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about the possible side effects associated with these and other heart medications. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Sodium
A mineral that works with potassium and calcium to control normal heart rhythm and water balance. A high-sodium diet can lead to high blood pressure in some people. In people who already have heart failure, too much sodium may make their condition worse.
Vasoconstriction
A narrowing of a blood vessel, causing decreased blood flow to a part of the body.
Vasodilator
A medication that relaxes the walls of blood vessels. ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, nitroglycerin, and calcium channel blockers are vasodilators.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
NATRECOR® should not be used in patients with certain types of heart failure. NATRECOR® may reduce kidney function in some patients. In clinical studies, more patients receiving NATRECOR® had increases in a common blood measurement called "serum creatinine" than patients who were treated with standard therapy. Increases in serum creatinine often suggest that kidney function has declined. These changes were particularly noticeable at higher doses. For this reason, it is important your doctor uses NATRECOR® at the recommended dose.
In some of the clinical trials more patients who were treated with NATRECOR® died than patients treated with other standard medications. These differences were small and the deaths may or may not have been caused by NATRECOR®. Use of NATRECOR® can lower blood pressure. When NATRECOR® causes a drop in blood pressure it can be a serious side effect requiring treatment. It is important that your doctor only use NATRECOR® in a setting where your blood pressure can be closely monitored.
Be sure to ask your healthcare provider about NATRECOR®'s potential side effects, and other treatment options for heart failure.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Please click here to see Full Product Information for NATRECOR®.
INDICATION
NATRECOR® (nesiritide) is a drug that is used by doctors, primarily in the hospital setting. NATRECOR® helps patients with heart failure when their condition worsens to the point that they have difficulty breathing when they are not active (like when they are resting in bed) or when they engage in slight physical activity (like brushing their teeth).
