For people with heart failure, medication is an important part of the treatment plan. But the medications themselves can quickly become confusing and overwhelming.

Here are five tips that will give you a better understanding of heart failure medications and where to get answers when you have questions.

Understand Which Heart Failure Medications Are Recommended — And Why

Different types of medications treat different heart failure symptoms or aspects of heart failure, which is why it’s important to understand what they’re prescribed to treat heart failure and why they’re being prescribed.

Always talk to the physician or pharmacist if you have questions

Physicians and pharmacists can answer any questions you may have about the prescribed heart failure medications.

Also, be sure to speak with the physician or pharmacist before you take any other medications, including over-the-counter products, such as ibuprofen.

Medications can sometimes interact with one another, even if they are used to treat completely unrelated issues. Interactions can increase or decrease medications’ effectiveness, or increase the risk for harmful side effects.

Watch for certain heart failure side effects

The most common side effect with heart failure medications is dizziness, particularly when changing positions.

“Typically, people will describe getting dizzy after they lean down to pick something up, when they get up out of bed, or if they change positions quickly,”  “It should last only a few seconds and should improve as you change positions slowly.”

“But if patients are having sustained dizziness that is inhibiting their life or lasting for a longer period of time, they should talk to their provider,” 

Side effects can also vary depending on the type of medication. Some side effects may not be outwardly noticeable and therefore need to be monitored with blood work.

“Many of the medications used for heart failure require blood work to monitor your kidney function and electrolytes,”

Develop a system for taking and tracking heart failure medications

Once you know the what, why, and how of your loved one’s heart failure medications, it’s time to come up with a tracking system.

“Heart failure medications need to be taken as prescribed on a daily basis (some once, twice, or even three times a day),” 

It takes a few months on these medications to see any changes. Even after a patient is feeling better, these medications must be continued. Most medicines will be continued for life.

“If you run out of a medication or there is no refill, do not assume the medicine is ‘done.’ Speak with your provider. Don’t stop anything without reviewing with their cardiologist.”

You may want to start by drawing up a list of medication instructions. Include a description or picture of what the medication looks like to avoid confusion.

Heart Care Clinic has a chart you can print and fill out to keep track of various medications. You can also use a spreadsheet or medication tracker app for a digital copy of this information.

If your loved one has to take various medications throughout the day, consider colored stickers (red for morning, yellow for afternoon, blue for nighttime)—just remember to write down what each color represents. Most major pharmacies also carry timer caps, days of the week packs and offer automated reminders, by email, text or phone.

Surround yourself with people that support your lifestyle changes

“Often times, it is difficult for patients with heart failure and their loved ones because they may not look sick, but they feel very tired and weak,”

Heart failure is a complex, yet manageable disease. The right care team can help you not just live with heart failure, but thrive with heart failure.