This in turn reduces the oxygen needs of the heart and thus helps in preventing the occurrence of angina. There are over a dozen available beta blockers with similar activities. They have also shown to be benefit in reducing the risk of a heart attack. Fatigue, sleepiness, depression and decreased sexual libido may be experienced by some patients. Calcium channel blockers decrease blood pressure and can dilate coronary arteries.
Platelets are small cells that float around in our blood stream.
When there is any type of damage or tear in the wall of a blood vessel, platelets collect in that area, clump together and attract formation of a clot. This seals the damage and stops bleeding when a person is injured. This can result in a blood clot that seals the artery, cuts off blood supply to the heart muscle and leads to a heart attack. Aspirin reduces the activity of platelets, decreases the tendency to form clots and is thus extremely valuable in lowering the incidence of heart attacks in patients with coronary artery disease. Aspirin should be avoided in patients with an allergy to the drug.