Medications play a vital role in the treatment of heart failure. Most patients are prescribed a combination of medicines that work together to treat the heart failure. These medications help the heart to pump better and to keep the symptoms of heart failure under control.

It's important to note that medications do not cure heart failure. However, they can relieve symptoms, improve heart function, slow the progression of the disease, and reduce the risk of complications.

Some of the main medications used to treat heart failure are:

• Diuretics, or water pills, to help reduce fluid buildup in the lungs and swelling in the feet and ankles;
• ACE inhibitors to lower blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart. These medications also may reduce the risk of a future heart attack;
• Beta blockers to slow the heart rate and lower blood pressure to decrease the workload on the heart;
• and Digoxin, which makes the heart beat stronger and pump more blood.