Taking your heart medicines

Medicines are an important part of your ongoing care

Your doctor will have prescribed you several new medicines after your heart event or diagnosis.

It's important to know what medicines you're taking, what they do and how they might affect you.

Medicines often come with a consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet, which gives you important facts about the medicine. You can ask your pharmacist or doctor for a copy.

You can also call the Medicines Line on 1300 633 424 for more information.

Cardiologist A/Prof Sarah Zaman explains why understanding your medicines and taking them as prescribed by your doctor will help you to live well with heart disease.

Keep taking your medicines

To help with your recovery and your overall heart health, it is important to keep taking your medicines.

Even if you're feeling better, do not stop any medicines or change how much you're taking without talking to your doctor.

This is because medicines can help you to:

• reduce your risk of another heart event, even if you don’t feel them working
• manage your symptoms
• keep doing the things you enjoy.

Take your medicines as instructed by your doctor or pharmacist. Don’t crush or break tablets, or open capsules, unless your doctor or pharmacist has told you to.

Keep a list of your medicines

Always carry a list of your medicines with you. This list should include:

• the name of the active ingredient and the brand name
• the strength or dose
• when and how to take the medicine
• the type of medicine (prescription or over-the-counter)
• what it is for.

Take the list to all your medical appointments.

Remembering to take your medicines

Start, and stick to, a routine for taking your medicines.

Set a daily alarm.
Take your medicine at the same time as another daily task, such as brushing your teeth.
Keep your medicines in a safe place that is easy to spot, such as the dining table, nightstand, kitchen or bathroom counter. It’s easy to forget when you don’t see them.
Use pill organisers to remind you of the medicines you have to take for the day. This can help prevent doubling up or missing doses.
Use a medicine reminder app such as MedicineWise if you have a smart phone.
Tick off a wall calendar or medicine tracker to track if you’ve taken your medicine for the day. Download a copy of My medicines tracker. Keep it on your device or print a copy and keep it on your desk or fridge.
Stick a reminder note on the fridge door or bathroom mirror where it can easily be seen.
Ask a family member or your carer to remind you to take your medicines. Everybody needs help sometimes, so don’t hesitate to ask.