Medications after HA

[Artery0917]

Morning everyone

In regards to the medication after HA, I am still taking Atorvastatins 80mg, Ramipiril 2.5mg and Bisoprolol 2.5mg after 15 months since the HA.

Is this common or the meds will stop after some time?

[Calliope153]

I am thirteen months post heart attack - I still take all you noted (different dosages) plus daily aspirin 75mg. I was told it would be for the rest of my life.... I did take Clopidogrel until last week too.

[Artery0917 in reply to Calliope153]

Ok, so looks like a permanent thing then. I have been taking Aspirin 75mg for many years due to my diabetes. My latest cholesterol result is 2.6 so hopefully I won’t need to 80mg statins? I’m seeing my doctor next week so hopeful he will be able to review this for me.

Thanks

[Calliope153 in reply to Artery0917]

My dosage was reduced to 40mg some months ago - but it doesn;t only deal with cholesterol levels as I understand it this quote from British Cardiac Patients glossary might be of interest

" Exceptionally Atorvastatin is taken in the morning as it can cause insomnia if taken later in the day. You should swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. These tablets are used in combination with a diet that is low in saturated fat. You can get dietary advice from a dietician or cardiac nurse or from leaflets.

Some statins, eg atorvastatin and rosuvastatin, may also reverse the build-up of deposits in the arteries. About a million UK adults take statins (2002 figure)."

[Artery0917 in reply to Calliope153]

Excellent, so it does work in many ways. Well let’s see if my dosage will be going down soon!

Thanks and have a great day!

[Mike424u in reply to Calliope153]

Interesting reading, I happen to take my 80mg Atorvastatin in the evening / night

I don't have any side effects or sleeping problems, The only thing I found was a warning not to drink grape fruit juice while taking theme, I believe it gives you some kind of stomach acid problem. I might just switch to taking it by day and see what happens, my cholesterol is now down to 2.3

[Calliope153 in reply to Mike424u]

Found this on the NHS site:

Eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice can affect some medicines. In most cases, it increases the level of the medicine in your blood. This can increase the risk of side effects or alter the effect the medicine has.

Medicines affected by grapefruit

Statins

Statins are medicines that lower your cholesterol. Grapefruit or grapefruit juice affects some statins.

Do not drink grapefruit juice if you're taking simvastatin. Grapefruit juice increases the level of simvastatin in your blood and makes side effects more likely.

Atorvastatin interacts with grapefruit juice if you drink large quantities (more than 1.2 litres daily), but an occasional glass is thought to be safe.

Currently, healthcare professionals advise it is safe to drink grapefruit juice and eat grapefruit if you're taking other types of statins.

So now we know!

[Andyman]

I was told my medication was for life after my HA. But ask your doctor. I have had some of mine reduced.

[Mike424u]

Hi I'm on similar meds, I had 6 stents after my HA, I was told my meds are for life apart from Clopidogrel which I was told can stop after 2 years, in fact the pill box has it on the pharmacy label, end taking date. and the other have for life on them, re check your med boxes or chemist labels, if not then check with your GP or cardio nurses.

[controlcause]

I am given an understanding if HA is due to plaques and depending on stented or bypassed or left untreated ,medicines are temporary or parmanent

[rakeman]

I am at the 6 month point after having a stent fitted, I am now on Atorvastatin 20mg, Clopidogrel 75mg, Aspirin 75mg, Amlodipine 5mg and Lansoprazole 30 mg twice a day.

Recently had my review with cardio consultant and is happy with progress and does not want to see me again, said to continue with Clopidogrel and lansoprazole for another 6 months the stop them.

[controlcause in reply to rakeman]

Did he conduct stress test or echo ? Or just discussions with you were enough to decide

[rakeman]

Brought up my heart on the screen looked at where he inserted the stent, checked all other arteries which he said were of mild concern. Discussed it with me, I asked for my prognosis which he said was good. But could not do anything about my age!! (70).