There are several types of cardiovascular drugs, or heart drugs, used to treat patients, including antiarrhythmics, vascodilators, hypertension drugs, cholesterol medications and blood thinners. While these drugs help patients manage potentially dangerous conditions, they can produce a wide range of negative side effects. Common side effects of cardiovascular drugs include changes in taste, fatigue, sexual problems, cold-like symptoms and flu-like symptoms. More serious side effects include jaundice, chest pain and fainting. It is also possible for patients to experience an allergic reaction to their medication, which will produce symptoms like swelling, rash or difficulty breathing.
While there are many different types of cardiovascular drugs, these drugs produce several common side effects in patients. It is not abnormal for cardiovascular drugs to cause fatigue, sleep problems and muscle pain. Many patients also suffer from cold-like symptoms like sore throat and coughing, as well as flu-like symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. When taking cardiovascular medicine, patients might also experience headaches, brain fog and certain sexual problems. If these side effects persist or become severe patients should consult their physician immediately.
In some patients, cardiovascular medication might produce more serious side effects. These include chest pain, kidney failure and changes in vision or heart rate. People who are experiencing kidney failure will exhibit certain symptoms, specifically water retention, jaundice and decreased urination. Some cardiovascular drugs are also known for causing dizziness, confusion and fainting due to low blood sugar. People who experience any of these side effects should seek immediate medical attention.
Certain cardiovascular drugs are also known for causing specific side effects not associated with other cardiovascular medications. For instance, blood thinners will increase a person’s risk of bruising and bleeding. Drugs that control the heart rate like digoxin might inhibit kidney function, speed a person’s breathing, or cause irregularities in heart rate. Beta blockers can also cause irregular heart rhythms as well as weight gain and low blood pressure. Before taking cardiac drugs, patients are urged to discuss the possible side effects of the specific drug with their physician.
As with any medication, cardiovascular drugs might cause allergic reactions in some patients. An allergic reaction may result in itching skin, rashes, difficulty swallowing, breathing heavily or swelling. Swelling will typically affect the tongue, face, hands, lips or throat. To avoid potentially dangerous reactions, patients should contact a physician as soon as they begin exhibiting an allergic reaction to a cardiovascular drug.