Cardiovascular diseases are the cause of more than 60% of the number of deaths in the country, and a role in this terrible statistic is also played by the patient’s lack of adherence and persistence to treatment, says cardiologist Laura Bogdan.
Cardiovascular diseases are the cause of over 60% of the total number of deaths in Romania. A role in this cruel statistic is also played by the patient’s lack of adherence and persistence to treatment, says cardiologist Laura Bogdan.
One of the reasons why the patient stops his treatment is the fear of side effects that are documented even before starting the treatment. Sometimes, patients stop the medication if they appear along the way. The doctor from Cardio Help explains more about the effects of medication for cardiovascular patients, to shed light on a subject about which, in general, they do not have enough information from certain and credible sources.
“The cardiovascular patient must take constant treatment
The cardiovascular patient is a chronic patient, who will have to take lifelong treatment, explains Dr. Laura Bogdan. But this does not mean that the medication is “addictive”, as is often misinterpreted by the patient, but that it is needed to prevent or delay the onset of complications that reduce the quality of life, adds the specialist:
“In cardiovascular pathology, several classes of drugs are used in doses adapted to the condition and the patient, which can at a certain time give certain side effects, which I will talk about according to how frequently they have appeared in the patients I have treated.”
Nagging coughs and skin rashes, among the more common reactions
The most widely used class of drugs, the so-called “converting enzyme inhibitors”, bring the greatest cardiovascular protection benefits. But they can produce a nagging dry cough that often sends the patient to pulmonology, says the cardiologist from Cardio Help Craiova. “Also, they can cause skin rashes, edema on the face or lead to an increase in the level of potassium in the blood, responsible for various rhythm or conduction disorders”, states Dr. Bogdan.
Another class is that of “sartans” and is used as an alternative to the previous class, because they do not produce coughs. Instead, they can cause hyperkalemia, the increase in potassium levels.
Swelling of the legs, another possible effect of the medication for cardiovascular patients
The “calcium-blocking” class of drugs most commonly causes leg swelling that patients interpret as a kidney problem.
Beta-blockers, frequently used in patients with angina pectoris, after myocardial infarction or after myocardial revascularization, in heart failure or arrhythmias, can cause a large decrease in the pulse (varucardia), pauses in the heart rhythm, can accentuate the feeling of suffocation in patients with bronchial asthma or COPD, can accentuate symptoms of peripheral arteriopathy and psoriasis lesions. Also, men can notice erectile dysfunctions, although these can even be associated with cardiac pathology, reports Dr. Laura Bogdan.
Diuretics may be involved in decreasing renal perfusion with the precipitation or worsening of renal failure. They can also lead to hyper or hypokalemia and hyponatremia, responsible for serious rhythm disturbances.
Muscle and joint pain can be associated with cardiovascular treatment
Statins, another class of drugs used in the treatment of dyslipidemias, in angina pectoris, after myocardial infarction or after revascularization, are most frequently accused of “liver disease”. “In reality, we are talking about a liver disease only if the liver enzymes increase 3 times above normal, and the effect is reversible”, states Dr. Laura Bogdan. They can also cause muscle pain and joint pain.
“Antiplatelets and anticoagulants can be responsible for some bleeding. But, as a paradox, we discovered many colorectal cancers in the early stage because of these bleedings which required additional investigations”, says the doctor cardiologist from Cardio Help.
“Of course there are other side effects that can occur. It is important, however, that the patient communicates any manifestation to the attending physician. This way we can find the most suitable therapeutic solution, so that the long-term health benefits are maximum”, concludes the doctor.
Those who wish to make an appointment at CardioHelp can contact the medical center at phone number 0251708626.
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