• Printer Friendly
  • Text Resizer - Small
  • Text Resizer - Large
  • Email this page

Ischaemic heart diseaseIschaemic heart disease

Browse our health professional information, resources and educational activities on ischaemic heart disease drugs.

QUM rationale

Optimal management of ischaemic heart disease involves managing all cardiovascular risk factors (e.g. smoking, diabetes, elevated blood pressure), often with multiple medications. Judicious use involves choosing the right medications to prevent cardiovascular events (e.g. low-dose aspirin in all patients with ischaemic heart disease), and continuing essential medications after hospitalization for a cardiovascular event to prevent further events (e.g. beta blockers after myocardial infarction).

The need for multiple medications often presents challenges with patient adherence. To achieve safe and appropriate use, health professionals should encourage adherence by informing patients early of the need for multiple medications, explaining the benefits of these medications and using the simplest possible drug regimen.

Key messages from 2005 therapeutic program

  • Inform the patient early of the need for multiple medications.
  • Use the simplest possible drug regimen: minimise the number of medications and daily doses.
  • Use low-dose aspirin in all patients with ischaemic heart disease; restrict clopidogrel to true aspirin intolerance.
  • Use beta blockers after myocardial infarction and in angina.
  • Continue ACE inhibitors after myocardial infarction in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure; consider in others at high cardiovascular risk.
  • Manage all cardiovascular risk factors including dyslipidaemia, hypertension and diabetes.

Title Description Content type Date*
Cardiovascular risk calculators Tools to help health professionals assess a patient’s cardiovascular risk and treatment benefit. Tool - Health Professional 2009-03-12 00:00:00
NPS Prescribing Practice Review 17: Managing dyslipidaemia Information on managing dyslipidaemia, including who should be treated with lipid-modifying therapy (i.e. lifestyle and/or drug therapy). Sample feedback prescribing data is also provided. Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review 2002-03-05 00:00:00
Ischaemic heart disease Examines use of multiple medications for patients with ischaemic heart disease, focusing on aspirin use, symptom control with nitrates and GP support. Professional publication - NPS News 2005-08-01 00:00:00
NPS Prescribing Practice Review 31: Ischaemic heart disease Information on the multiple medications that are often necessary in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease including aspirin, statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review 2005-09-01 00:00:00
NPS News 8: Medication reviews in general practice Medication reviews in general practice, examining their importance, the different professions involved and patient problems such as concordance and side effects. Professional publication - NPS News 2000-01-01 00:00:00
NPS Prescribing Practice Review 31: Ischaemic heart disease Information on the multiple medications that are often necessary in the treatment of ischaemic heart disease including aspirin, statins, beta blockers and ACE inhibitors. Professional publication - Prescribing Practice Review 2005-09-01 00:00:00

Useful information from Australian Prescriber

Content type Date Title
Australian Prescriber - Article 2000-06-01 00:00:00 Contemporary management of atrial fibrillation
Australian Prescriber - Article 1998-10-01 00:00:00 Role of HMG CoA reductase inhibitors after myocardial infarction
Australian Prescriber - Article 1998-10-01 00:00:00 Sheffield tables for primary prevention of coronary heart disease
Australian Prescriber - Article 1997-02-01 00:00:00 Calcium channel antagonists
Australian Prescriber - Editorial 1996-04-01 00:00:00 Calcium antagonists: the current controversy


Date published: 2009-09-20 00:00:00

Reasonable care is taken to provide accurate information at the date of creation. This information is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a qualified health professional. Health professionals should rely on their own expertise and enquiries when providing medical advice or treatment. Where permitted by law, NPS disclaims all liability (including for negligence) for any loss, damage or injury resulting from reliance on or use of this information. Read our full disclaimer.

References to brands should not be taken as an endorsement by NPS.