Ivabradine: What It Is, How It Works, and What You Need to Know

When your heart beats too fast—even when you’re at rest—it can wear you down. Ivabradine, a selective heart rate-lowering drug that targets the sinoatrial node without affecting blood pressure. Also known as Corlanor, it’s one of the few medications designed specifically to slow the heart’s natural pacemaker, not by blocking adrenaline or lowering blood pressure, but by directly reducing the electrical signals that drive heart rate. Unlike beta blockers or calcium channel blockers, ivabradine doesn’t interfere with how your heart contracts or how your arteries respond. That makes it unique—and sometimes the only option for people who can’t tolerate other heart meds.

It’s mostly used for two conditions: chronic stable angina, chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, when the heart can’t pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs. If you’ve been told your resting heart rate is above 70 bpm and other treatments aren’t working—or give you side effects like dizziness or fatigue—ivabradine might be the missing piece. It doesn’t fix the underlying damage, but it takes the pressure off your heart by letting it beat slower, giving it more time to fill and pump efficiently.

It’s not for everyone. People with very slow heart rates, certain types of heart block, or low blood pressure shouldn’t take it. And while it doesn’t cause low blood pressure like many heart meds, it can cause visual disturbances—like bright flashes or blurred vision—especially when lighting changes. These are usually mild and go away, but they’re worth knowing about before you start.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of marketing claims. It’s real talk about how ivabradine fits into the bigger picture of heart health. You’ll see how it compares to other drugs like beta blockers, what patients actually experience, and why some doctors prefer it over alternatives. You’ll also find connections to related topics: how heart rate control ties into angina management, why it’s sometimes used alongside other heart failure meds, and what lifestyle changes can support its effects. There’s no fluff. Just clear, practical info that helps you understand if ivabradine is right for you—or someone you care about.