Common names include:

• Morphine
• Dilaudid
• Fentanyl

Morphine is given to relieve chest pain. Possible side effects include:

• Constipation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Itching
• Dizziness
• Sedation

Nitroglycerin

Nitrates help relieve chest pain by dilating the arteries, which allows more blood to flow to the heart muscle. Early in treatment, nitroglycerin may be administered as a tablet placed under the tongue or infused through a vein. Long-term, nitroglycerin may be given on a regular basis through a patch, paste, or orally to control chronic chest pain.

Possible side effects include:

• Low blood pressure
• Headache

Common names include:

• Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)
• Streptokinase
• Reteplase
• Tenecteplase
• Lanoteplase

A drug to dissolve or break up blood clots in the coronary artery may be given via a needle placed in the arm (intravenously or IV). Early treatment, within three hours of the heart attack, offers the best chance for good results. Your medical history, age, and condition may prevent treatment with clot-busting drugs.

Possible side effects include:

• Stroke
• Hemorrhage

During a heart attack, damage to the heart muscle can increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms. Unstable heart rhythms can prevent the heart from effectively pumping blood, and if serious, lead to sudden death. Antiarrhythmic drugs help the heart beat more normally, usually by suppressing abnormal beats or by regularizing the heart rate.

There are a wide variety of drugs available to treat the various causes of abnormal rhythms. In emergencies, some of these drugs are given via an IV. Oral forms of medicine are used to treat more chronic arrhythmias. The main issue with these drugs is that unless the underlying rhythm problem can be corrected, they must be taken indefinitely. Also, one of the more unpredictable side effects of some of these medicines is the risk of making the arrhythmia worse. Talk to your doctor about the specific side effects or warning signs to watch for based on the drug you are taking.

Common names include:

• Enalapril (Vasotec)
• Lisinopril (Zestril)
• Quinapril (Accupril)

ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and help lower mortality in people who sustain significant damage to the heart muscle.

Possible side effects include:

• Low blood pressure
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Cough
• Swelling
• Skin rashes

Common names include:

• Candesartan (Atacand)
• Irbesartan (Avapro)
• Losartan (Cozaar)
• Valsartan (Diovan)

Possible side effects include:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Nasal congestion
• Back and leg pain
• Diarrhea

Common names include:

• Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Prasugrel (Effient)

Antiplatelet drugs help prevent the blood from clotting. They may be given when aspirin cannot be used. They may also be given in conjunction with aspirin to people who have had an angioplasty.

Possible side effects include:

• Bleeding
• Diarrhea
• Stomach upset

Common names include:

• Heparin
• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Bivalirudin (Angiomax)

Anticoagulants help to prevent the blood from clotting. It is often given to patients during heart procedures or after a clot-busting drug treatment.

Possible side effects include:

• Internal bleeding
• Stroke

Common names include:

• Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
• Pravastatin (Pravachol)
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
• Simvastatin (Zocor)
• Fluvastatin (Lescol)
• Resuvastatin (Crestor)

Statins are drugs that help to lower blood cholesterol levels. They may be prescribed along with a low cholesterol diet if you have high cholesterol. Atorvastatin may reduce the risk of repeat stroke or heart attack.

Possible side effects include:

• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Liver damage (rare)

Aspirin may be given by emergency medical personnel and continued after admission to the hospital. Aspirin helps prevent clotting and reclosing of the artery. Aspirin should generally be taken with food to decrease stomach upset.

Possible side effects include:

• Stomach upset
• Gastrointestinal bleeding and stroke