Aspirin or anticoagulants such as heparin or enoxaparin are used to stop the formation of blood clots which can clog the vessels. This is an expensive medication and has many risks associated with its use, therefore it is only appropriate in a very specific set of circumstances. Beta blockers such as atenolol, metoprolol or propranolol are used if there is no heart failure to slow the heart and decrease the amount of oxygen required by the heart muscle to continue beating. Diuretics such as furosemide , aldactone and hydrochlorothiazide may be used to get rid of excess fluid in CHF and to decrease blood pressure. Other medications often used include calcium channel blockers such as diltiezem and verapamil to treat arrhythmias and nifedipine to reverse coronary artery spasm.
Digoxin is used in arrhythmias to slow and strengthen the heart.
Another class of medications called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor has been shown to increase survival and prevent CHF in heart attack patients. These include lisinopril, ramipril, enalapril and captopril.