For a patient with prior myocardial infarction, which medications are listed as the drug of choice?

For a patient with prior myocardial infarction, which medications are listed as the drug of choice?

• A. Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors
• B. ACE inhibitors alone
• C. Beta blockers alone
• D. Diuretics

Answer: (A)

After myocardial infarction, aiming to improve survival and prevent further events centers on beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand, and they help prevent malignant arrhythmias, all of which lowers mortality after an MI. ACE inhibitors block the renin-angiotensin system, lessen adverse remodeling, reduce afterload, and preserve left ventricular function—benefits that are especially important in patients with reduced ejection fraction or other risk factors. Using them together provides complementary protection: the beta-blocker curbs the heart’s stress and rhythm issues, while the ACE inhibitor shields the heart from remodeling and failure. Diuretics mainly relieve symptoms from fluid overload and don’t improve long-term survival on their own, so the combination of beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor is the preferred regimen for a patient with prior MI, assuming no contraindications.

After myocardial infarction, aiming to improve survival and prevent further events centers on beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. Beta-blockers reduce heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand, and they help prevent malignant arrhythmias, all of which lowers mortality after an MI. ACE inhibitors block the renin-angiotensin system, lessen adverse remodeling, reduce afterload, and preserve left ventricular function—benefits that are especially important in patients with reduced ejection fraction or other risk factors. Using them together provides complementary protection: the beta-blocker curbs the heart’s stress and rhythm issues, while the ACE inhibitor shields the heart from remodeling and failure. Diuretics mainly relieve symptoms from fluid overload and don’t improve long-term survival on their own, so the combination of beta-blocker and ACE inhibitor is the preferred regimen for a patient with prior MI, assuming no contraindications.