Young people with half a working heart often take different medications every day to ensure their heart is working the best it can.

It’s a second nature at this point because you have been taking them every day since you were born, but do you know what the different medications do and why it’s important to remember to take them.

• Tablets like Warfarin or Aspirin stop clots from forming within the working half of your heart so that it works as well a possible. They are called anti-coalgulants.
• Tablets like Bisoprolol or Propanolol help keep your heart rate as it should be. They are called Beta Blockers.
• Tablets like Lisinopril and Enalapril keep your blood pressure where it should be. They are called Ace Inhibitors.
• Tablets like Furosemide and Spironolactone help stop too much fluid building up. You might end up on the toilet a lot but it is better for your heart. They are called Water tablets.

We know that when you start to take your medication independently, or when your life gets busy it can be easy to forget.

Here are some hints and tips from other youth members to help organise yourself;

• Use an app on your phone to help remind you such as ‘Pillbox’ or ‘Max – Pill Reminder’
• Buy a weekly tablet dispenser to keep track
• Ask close friends or families to give you a reminder

Oh and by the way if the doctor thinks you need medications then take them, they don’t prescribe them to be difficult, they are trying to give your heart a boost. Your medication might get changed thoughout your journey and we know change is scary but the doctors are doing what is best for you in that moment.

If you think you don’t need a medicine any more talk to your Cardiologist before stopping anything. You are part of the medical team here so you have the right to say what you think but don’t put yourself at risk.

I know this sounds a little bit scary, it just means that when you turn 18 and want to start drinking alcohol you need to think about doing it in the safest way possible. For now, if you see your friend’s drinking alcohol and they ask you if you want some just tell them that it is dangerous for you with your heart condition.

You may hear the word compliance brought up by your hospital team on your half a heart journey. Do you know what it means when your hospital team asks about your compliance?

Compliance means following advice and guidelines, so in this case it means listening to the hospital teams and taking your medication when they tell you to.

If you are non compliant. Your hospital team might want to talk to you to ensure you know the risks you are bringing by not taking your meds, they may even remove you from medication clinics.

Non compliance with medication is dangerous and risky for your health.

Written by Lexie Katsaitis

Reviewed by Suzie Hutchinson

Reviewed: 19th June 2024

Reviewed next: 19th June 2027