Description
(ivabradine) is a heart medicine used to treat:
– Symptomatic stable angina (which causes chest pain) in adults with a heart rate above or equal to 70 beats per minute. This medicine is used in adults who are intolerant or unable to take heart medicines called beta-blockers. It is also used in combination with beta-blockers in adults whose condition is not completely controlled with a beta-blocker.
– Chronic heart failure in patients with a heart rate above or equal to 75 beats per minute. It is used in combination with standard treatment, including treatment with beta-blockers or when beta-blockers are contraindicated or intolerable.
For stable angina (commonly called “angina”):
Stable angina is a heart disease that occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen. It usually occurs between the ages of 40 and 50. The most common symptom of angina is chest pain or discomfort. Angina pectoris is more likely to occur when the heart beats faster in situations such as exercise, emotions, exposure to cold or after eating. This acceleration of the heart rate can cause chest pain in people who suffer from angina.
About chronic heart failure:
Chronic heart failure is a heart disease that occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to the rest of the body. The most common symptoms of heart failure are shortness of breath, fatigue, fatigue and swelling of the ankles.
How does ivabradine work?
ivabradine works mainly by lowering the heart rate by a certain number of beats per minute. This reduces the heart’s need for oxygen, especially in situations where angina is more likely to occur. In this way, ivabradine helps to control and reduce the number of angina attacks.
In addition, because increased heart rate adversely affects heart function and life expectancy in patients with chronic heart failure, the specific, heart rate-lowering effect of ivabradine helps to improve heart function and life expectancy in these patients.
