Other forms of medication - warfarin, digoxin aspirin and statins

In addition to the 'trinity' of diuretics, ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers (see 'Beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors and diuretics') several drugs are commonly prescribed to help relieve symptoms of heart failure. Almost everyone we talked to was taking aspirin daily, many took a cholesterol-lowering drug (statin) and some also took warfarin (which prevents blood clots forming) or digoxin (which increases the force of the heartbeat). Most people said that their drugs had to be carefully balanced. A woman who had been taking warfarin and digoxin for 44 years, said that coping with the 'whole rigmarole' of drugs had become second nature to her.

Several people who had had heart failure for many years talked about how drugs had changed; one said that was the only advance that he had noticed in the treatment of heart failure. Warfarin was widely thought of as an 'older' drug that thinned the blood, and was known to have the same active ingredient as rat poison. People recognised that warfarin needed to be carefully monitored and that it reduced iron levels; two people had bled into their urine as a result of taking warfarin. One woman said that she was careful to check whether warfarin would be affected by other medicines such as antibiotics. She also found that the herbal remedy valerian interfered with warfarin.

Says the number of heart failure drugs he's taking has reduced over the years.

He was taken off Warfarin because of side effects.

She is cautious about taking any other drug that might affect her warfarin levels.

Many of those who took digoxin knew it was derived from foxgloves and that it slowed the heart beat. One woman referred to digoxin as a poison that did her good. Some people who had been prescribed it years ago said they decided not to take it, against doctors advice. Others said that they were taking a lower dose now than they had.

He takes warfarin, digoxin, frusemide, spironolactone, atorvastatin, bisoprolol and aspirin.

Describes digoxin as a 'poison' that improves her heart beat.

Simvastatin - a statin that reduces cholesterol in the blood was mentioned by many people - and several wondered whether they would have avoided heart failure if it had been prescribed at an earlier stage. A man who couldn't tolerate simvastatin said that his triglycerides were reduced by cholestyramine (see 'Side effects of medication').

Wonders if he should have been prescribed statins after his first heart attack.

1. Should people who have high cholesterol expect to be prescribed a statin to help prevent heart disease in later life?
2. How long is it safe to take warfarin and digoxin?
3. Why is aspirin prescribed for people with heart failure?

Last reviewed March 2010.

Last updated March 2010.