Cardiac Medicine Certification (CMC) Practice Exam

Which of the following medications are considered first-line treatments for heart failure?

1. Beta-blockers only

2. Corticosteroids only

3. ACE inhibitors

4. Antibiotics only

The correct answer is: ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors are considered first-line treatments for heart failure due to their proven efficacy in improving symptoms, reducing hospitalizations, and prolonging survival in patients with heart failure, particularly those with reduced ejection fraction. These medications work by blocking the angiotensin-converting enzyme, which leads to the relaxation of blood vessels, decreasing blood pressure, and reducing the workload on the heart. Additionally, ACE inhibitors help mitigate neurohormonal activation that occurs in heart failure, which is critical to managing this condition. In contrast, beta-blockers are also important in the management of heart failure, particularly for patients with reduced ejection fraction, but they are not the sole first-line agents and are typically used in conjunction with ACE inhibitors. Corticosteroids are not a standard treatment for heart failure and may even cause fluid retention, worsening the condition. Antibiotics are used to treat infections and have no role in the management of heart failure itself.