Managing heart conditions

There are times when certain areas run out of oxygen. This is termed Ischaemia. Ischaemia is normally attributed to inadequate blood and hence oxygen supply to parts of the heart.

If this is not well managed, it could lead to death of cells deprived of oxygen for a long time; and this is termed infarction.

Clopidogrel is recommended in the prevention of these ischaemic events in prone patients.
Some people suffering from hypertension and related heart conditions have probably come across Clopidogrel although many may be more familiar with Cardiac Aspirin.

Clopidogrel has been used as an alternative drug where patients are allergic to Aspirin or cannot tolerate it.

The drug is also sometimes given in combination with the cardiac aspirin mentioned above especially in patients with conditions of the heart termed acute coronary syndrome. Acute coronary syndrome refers to a range of conditions that can be caused by a sudden reduction in blood flow in a coronary artery. In this case though, Clopidogrel is recommended to be given for twelve months.

The combination of Cardiac Aspirin and Clopidogrel is also recommended in conditions termed acute myocardial infarction, more so if the lower part of the heart (ventricles) are dysfunctional. The heart is made up of muscle and this muscle is called the myocardium. This muscle is what pumps blood to the body.

The blood vessels that supply blood to the heart are called coronary arteries. When these get a problem and there is a blockage, then the heart muscle gets inadequate blood and oxygen supply. This makes the affected part prone to an infarction and hence the term myocardial infarction.This is otherwise referred to as a heart attack.

The most common symptom of a heart attack is severe chest pain. The pain may also travel up into your jaw and down the left arm or down both arms.

There may be a shortness of breath and some people feel sick and faint, coupled with sweating.The dose of aspirin is reduced in this case and the combination of medicines is given for up to four weeks. This is because the combination of the two drugs increases one’s risk of bleeding.

This medicine should not be bought over the counter without a doctor’s prescription. It is often sold as a 75mg tablet.

The writer is a pharmacist.