E. Diuretics
Diuretics are a very useful category of heart medication. They play a vital role in the treatment of patients with heart failure or hypertension. In heart failure, the legs and lungs become not just waterlogged, but brine-logged. Water in the legs, feet, and lungs can only be relieved by using a diuretic, which forces salt and water from the blood into the urine. Severe shortness of breath and a feeling of suffocation is rapidly relieved by the diuretic furosemide. Diuretics used in conjunction with ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and digoxin prolong life and cause relief of symptoms.
1. Furosemide (Lasix)
Supplied: Tablets: 20 mg, 40 mg, and 80 mg. Dosage: 40–120 mg daily for patients with severe congestive heart failure. Long-term maintenance for patients no longer in heart failure is 40–80 mg daily.
F. Nitrates
These preparations (see the chapter Angina) have a small role in patients who are not controlled with the use of digoxin and diuretics, plus an ACE inhibitor. Their main action is to dilate veins, pooling blood in the lower part of the body. This causes less blood to return to the heart and congestion in the lungs may be slightly reduced. This effect is only mild, however, and the drugs lose effec¬tiveness if used continuously over a few weeks. They are often used in emergencies, in hospitals, or occasionally, at home to help patients with very severe heart failure get over a crisis.

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