Are You Worried About Your Heart?

About 1 in 5 deaths in the US are caused by cardiovascular disease (CVD), including coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. CVD is a leading cause of mortality in the US and many other countries worldwide. Preventing or controlling the development of CVD includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting appropriate medical care. This heart-healthy lifestyle is often enough to prevent individuals from developing severe heart problems. However, the millions who already have CVD will need the best possible medicine to manage symptoms and prolong life.

The power of medicine

Different medications can reduce the risk of a heart attack by improving the health of the blood vessels. Some also prevent blood clots from forming in the arteries and control high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. In addition, a cardiologist may use medication to treat specific heart problems. For example, beta-blockers manage irregular heartbeats and help prevent heart attacks and strokes. These medications work by slowing the heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels to improve blood flow. In some cases, medicine and surgery may be necessary to treat specific heart problems. Along with medication, heart-healthy supplements can provide the vitamins and minerals required for optimal function.

Can compounding help CVD patients too?

Despite the availability of generic drugs to treat CVD, patients still need specialized care for a healthy heart. Because of this, there’s been a rebirth in compounding pharmacies. These pharmacies provide patients with customized medications to meet their unique needs and health conditions. Compounding can improve a patient’s quality of life and address individual health needs by combining custom ingredients and substances into a single dose. These pharmacies primarily focused on pain management, dermatology, or fertility treatment. Now, many compounding pharmacies offer products specifically for cardiovascular care.

Compounding benefits

Some patients can’t take conventional drugs for various reasons. Common examples include allergies to certain ingredients or unpleasant side effects. In such cases, compounding allows pharmacists to create customized medications tailored to each patient’s needs. If a drug once effective is no longer in circulation, the team can recreate the medicine for the patient. Medication form also plays a significant role in adherence. In some cases, patients cannot take medicine in pill form. Compounding can change those forms to topical creams, nasal sprays, oral capsules, and even lollipops. Finally, CVD patients may require multiple daily pills to manage severe symptoms. Compounding removes the need for polypharmacy by combining various drugs into a single dose.

Straight to the heart with compounding

Cardiovascular disease is a severe condition and can go undetected for many years. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of developing the disease. For those with the disease, consistent medication can reduce the symptoms, while supplementation can help maintain a healthy heart. Compounding helps patients feel confident with the type of medication used because of the degree of control. Most compounded medications are prepared using high-quality pharmaceutical-grade ingredients and formulated to meet each patient’s specific needs.