After a recent myocardial infarction, which drugs should a person be taking for secondary prevention?
• People who have recently had a myocardial infarction should have been discharged from hospital with (provided there are no contraindications): • An ACE inhibitor (e.g. for people with preserved left ventricular function, lisinopril, perindopril, ramipril). • Aspirin (and/or clopidogrel). • A beta-blocker (e.g. for people with preserved left ventricular function, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, atenolol). • A statin (e.g. simvastatin). • Different ACE inhibitors and beta-blockers (and different target doses) are recommended for people with left ventricular dysfunction or heart failure. See the CKS topic on Heart failure – chronic for further information.
