Arrhythmia Medications

Medications can control mild arrhythmias and make a positive difference for many people. These medications safely and effectively treat many heart rhythm disorders and reduce the need for a procedure or cardiac device. At Henry Ford Health, we help you find the care you need.

Why choose Henry Ford for treatment with arrhythmia medications?

The Henry Ford Heart & Vascular team finds the best medication options for each person we help. We can also monitor your heart rhythm in our electrophysiology labs, to see how well your medicine is working.

Sometimes, certain medications end up not working for your needs or you experience uncomfortable or potentially harmful side effects. We can try a different medication or a new treatment.

Types of arrhythmia medication

Depending on the type of arrhythmia you experience and your overall health, we may prescribe medication to control your heart’s rhythm.

We also prescribe medication for people who undergo other arrhythmia treatments. We may use medication in combination with a pacemaker to reduce the need for the device to send electrical signals. We may also use medication to maintain a proper heart rhythm after cardioversion.

We use several different types of medication to treat arrhythmias. These medications include:

• Antiarrhythmic drugs: These medicines, also called heart rhythm control drugs, can restore and maintain a normal heart rhythm. They allow the upper and lower parts of your heart to work together more efficiently.
• Heart rate control medications: Also known as beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and digoxin, these medicines slow your heart rate. Other heart rate control medications also reduce the strength of your heart muscle’s pumping action (contractions).
• Blood thinners: These medications, known as antiplatelets and anticoagulants, help prevent blood clots from forming inside and around your heart. Blood thinners work to protect you from serious complications, such as stroke.

How to take your medicine

It’s important to follow safety steps when taking heart rhythm medications:

• Make sure to follow your doctor’s instructions when taking any medicine to control your heart rhythm.
• Do not stop any medicine without first asking your doctor.
• Let us know if you have any questions or experience unexpected or unpleasant side effects.