Taking Care of Your Heart Health After a Heart Attack The Importance of Beta-Blocker Therapy
The beta-blocker medicine your doctor prescribed can help prevent another heart attack. But if you don t take your medicine exactly as your doctor ordered, you increase your chance of having another heart attack. This brochure can help you get the most out of your medicine. Read the hints below and go over the Questions for Your Doctor section during your next office visit. Hints to help you take your medicine Make taking your beta-blocker medicine part of your daily routine. Use a pillbox to store your medicine and leave it where you brush your teeth to help you remember to take your pills. Set the alarm on your watch, clock or cell phone to help remind you to take your medicine at the right time. Some medicines work better when taken with food, while others do not. If your medicine should be taken with food, keep it on the kitchen counter as a reminder to take it with your meal. Ask a friend or family member to call you to help remind you to take your medicine. It s a great way to stay in touch, too!
Heart Attack and Beta-Blocker Fast Facts
What is a heart attack? Your heart is a muscle that needs oxygen to survive. When the blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off, damage or death of part of the heart muscle occurs. This is called a heart attack (also known as myocardial infarction [MI]).
If you have a heart attack, are there things you can do to prevent another one? There are a number of things you can do to help prevent another heart attack. Talk to your doctor about the following and see which are right for you: Control Your Blood Pressure Watch your salt intake and take any prescribed blood pressure medicines exactly as your doctor ordered. Manage Your Cholesterol Follow a diet and exercise plan and take any cholesterol-lowering medicines as your doctor directed. Stop Smoking We can help. Quit-smoking programs are available to you at no cost. To join the program*: NY State residents, please call 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487). Nonresidents, please call 1-877-500-2393, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 9 pm; Saturday 9 am to 7 pm and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. TTY/TDD users, please call 711. Aspirin Therapy Taking an aspirin daily may help to prevent or reduce the chance of blood clots. Beta-Blocker Therapy Read on to learn about this useful therapy and always follow your doctor s instructions if a beta blocker is prescribed. * GHI NY City PPO (active and retirees) may call the National Quitline at 1-800-QUITNOW (1-800-784-8669).
What is beta-blocker therapy? Beta blockers are medicines that help lower the risk of another heart attack by slowing the heart rate and reducing the heart s workload. If you are prescribed a beta blocker after a heart attack, known as beta-blocker therapy, you will most likely be taking it for the rest of your life. What should you do if you have side effects from beta-blocker therapy? Call your doctor if you experience any side effects. Your doctor may be able to lower your dose or change your medicine. Do not stop taking your medicine unless your doctor tells you to. Is it OK to skip a dose of beta-blocker medicine? You need to take your medicine every day to help decrease your risk of another heart attack. If you are finding it hard to take your medicine on time, see the Hints to Help You Take Your Medicine section in this brochure or talk to your doctor. Where can I get more information about heart attacks or beta-blocker therapy? You can go to the American Heart Association Web site at www.hearthub.org for tools and resources on heart health.
Questions for your Doctor 1. Why am I taking this beta-blocker medicine and how does it help my heart health after a heart attack? 2. How often and at what times of the day should I take this medicine? 3. What should I do if I miss a dose? 4. Should I take all the medicine even though I feel fine? 5. How can I tell if this medicine is working? Are there any tests I need while taking this medicine? 6. Are there any side effects from this medicine? 7. How long will I need to take this medicine? Do I need a refill? 8. Is there a generic option available? 9. Can I get a prescription for a 90-day supply?* * You may be able to get a 90-day supply and/or order your medicine through the mail. If you have questions about your prescription drug coverage, visit www.emblemhealth.com/pharmacy or call Customer Service at the phone number on the back of your member ID card. Group Health Incorporated (GHI), HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), HIP Insurance Company of New York and EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC are EmblemHealth companies. EmblemHealth Services Company, LLC provides administrative services to the EmblemHealth companies. EMB_MB_BRO_21793_CDC-PBH_Weekly_Post_Discharge 10/14