What medications are prescribed for rheumatic heart disease?
Treatment for Rheumatic Heart Disease
Patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) require medical treatment with antiplatelet aggregation agents, diuretics, and cardiac glycosides under the guidance of a physician, accompanied by other methods to improve their condition. Here are the main therapeutic approaches:
1. Antiplatelet Aggregation Agents
Such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets or clopidogrel bisulfate capsules. These drugs inhibit thrombus formation and are clinically used to prevent and treat various cardiovascular diseases including coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, cerebral infarction, and peripheral vascular diseases.
2. Diuretics
Including furosemide injection and spironolactone tablets. Patients with heart failure caused by valvular heart disease often experience edema. These medications can be prescribed to reduce water and sodium retention, thereby alleviating symptoms of dyspnea.
3. Cardiac Glycosides
For example, digoxin tablets or cedilanid sustained-release tablets. These drugs enhance myocardial contractility, increasing stroke volume and dilating veins, which is beneficial in symptom control.
4. β-Blockers
Such as metoprolol tartrate tablets or bisoprolol fumarate tablets. They slow down atrioventricular conduction and reduce excitability, helping to reduce the risk of rapid arrhythmias, suitable for RHD patients with frequent premature contractions.
5. Calcium Channel Blockers
Commonly used are verapamil hydrochloride tablets or diltiazem hydrochloride tablets. They prevent intracellular calcium ions from entering cells, facilitating relaxation of peripheral vascular smooth muscle and reducing blood pressure to normal levels. However, they may cause tachycardia.
If the patient's condition is severe, immediate medical attention is recommended to avoid disease progression. Daily routines should prioritize rest, avoiding overexertion, and a diet consisting mainly of light and easily digestible foods, steering clear of spicy, stimulating, and greasy foods.