Which medication class is commonly used in the treatment of heart failure?

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors are a cornerstone in the treatment of heart failure due to their ability to help relax blood vessels, thereby reducing the workload on the heart. They work by inhibiting the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor. By decreasing the levels of angiotensin II, these medications promote vasodilation and lower blood pressure, which can significantly improve cardiac output and reduce symptoms of heart failure.

Furthermore, ACE inhibitors have beneficial effects on the structure of the heart, helping to prevent or reverse ventricular remodeling, which is a common complication of chronic heart failure. They also help alleviate fluid retention, which is often a major issue in heart failure patients, as they reduce aldosterone secretion, leading to decreased sodium and water retention.

In contrast, while calcium channel blockers can treat hypertension and certain arrhythmias, they are not typically used as first-line treatments for heart failure, especially in systolic heart failure, as they can sometimes worsen heart function. Anticoagulants are primarily used to prevent blood clots, not directly to treat heart failure. Statins are used to manage cholesterol levels and can have some cardiovascular protective effects, but they do not directly address the symptoms