What is a common long-term medication prescribed after an acute coronary syndrome event?

Statins are commonly prescribed after an acute coronary syndrome event because they play a crucial role in managing cholesterol levels and reducing cardiovascular risk. Following an acute coronary syndrome, such as a heart attack, the goal is to stabilize the heart function and prevent future cardiac events. Statins help achieve this by lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is a key contributor to atherosclerosis—the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can lead to heart problems.

Additionally, statins have pleiotropic effects, such as improving endothelial function, reducing inflammation, and stabilizing atherosclerotic plaques, which further helps in the prevention of future coronary events. This makes them an essential component of long-term management strategies for patients who have experienced an acute coronary syndrome.

While anticoagulants are indeed used in the acute phase of treatment to prevent further clot formation, they are not typically prescribed long-term in the same manner as statins. Antihistamines are primarily used for allergic reactions, and penicillin is an antibiotic, neither of which have relevance in the management of coronary artery disease. Therefore, statins are the most appropriate choice for long-term therapy following an acute coronary syndrome event.