Final answer:
Anti-platelet drugs reduce the risk of clot formation after an MI, statins lower cholesterol to decrease coronary artery disease risk, and beta blockers slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure to prevent future cardiovascular events.
Step-by-step explanation:
Anti-platelet medications, such as aspirin and clopidogrel, are used for long-term therapy after a myocardial infarction (MI) to prevent future thrombotic events. These drugs work by reducing the aggregation of platelets, thus minimizing the risk of clot formation that can block coronary arteries and cause heart attacks.
Statins are prescribed to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which is responsible for cholesterol synthesis in the body. By reducing cholesterol, statins decrease the risk of coronary artery disease. Lastly, beta blockers are used to prevent future cardiovascular events by slowing down the heart rate, decreasing the heart's demand for oxygen, and reducing blood pressure, which can help limit the extent of damage to the heart and improve survival after an MI.