The healthcare sector has witnessed significant advancements in the last two decades. So much so that nowadays, AI-powered technologies are used to effectively detect and diagnose issues with patients.
Despite that, cardiovascular diseases (CVD) like heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure, etc., remain some of the main causes of death across the globe! In fact, the WHO revealed that about 19.8 million people had died from CVD back in 2022, which accounted for a whopping 32% of global deaths!
So, what could be the reason for this? Well, a sedentary lifestyle, combined with harmful heart-food habits, is one of the biggest reasons. However, did you know that your go-to medications could also be the primary reasons behind this? In this blog, we are going to discuss 5 such medicines that cause heart attacks with prolonged usage.
Heart Health Tips: 5 Medications You Should Stay Aware of
If you are one of those people who pop a pill every time you get a headache or catch a cold, you need to stay alert! They may relieve your symptoms, but they can damage your heart in the long run.
And no, we are not saying this out of thin air! This is stated by Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, a heart transplant cardiologist based in Memphis, U.S. As published in TOI, Dr. Dmitry states, “As a cardiologist, I see how some commonly used medications can silently damage your heart.”
That being said, let’s take a look at the 5 common medicines that cause heart attacks-
NSAIDs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, etc., are popular over-the-counter painkillers. However harmless they might seem, long-term or excessive usage can inflict harm to your kidneys, digestive system, and especially your heart! As stated by Dr. Yaranov, “Over-the-counter painkillers might seem harmless, but regular use can increase blood pressure, cause fluid retention, and even lead to heart failure in some cases.”
Stimulants
Stimulants like amphetamines are extensively used to treat conditions like ADHD. But these very stimulants can also be the reason behind increased heart rates, and therefore, increase the chances of heart attacks. Not just that, but according to Dr. Yaranov, these medications also increase your blood pressure and therefore, increase the risk of arrhythmias.
Diabetes drugs
WHO states that the number of diabetic people in the world in 2022 was a staggering 830 million! And if we assume that half of this population is using medications, then about 415 million people are at risk of contracting CVD!
That’s because some diabetes medications, like Rosiglitazone, are known to increase the chances of heart failure. The best solution, therefore, as stated by Dr. Yaranov, is to consult a doctor and ask for alternative medications.
Decongestants
Decongestants are some of the most widely used medications across the world. At the same time, some of these decongestants also qualify as medications that can damage your heart! Some of these decongestants contain an element called ‘Pseudoephedrine,’ which is harmful to heart health. As Dr. Yaranov says, “Found in many cold medications (Pseudoephedrine), these can spike blood pressure and trigger arrhythmias, especially in people with underlying heart conditions.”
Chemotherapy drugs
A handful of chemotherapy drugs, like Doxorubicin, Trastuzumab, etc., might be essential to treat cancer. But, you should know, that these medications can weaken the heart muscles with prolonged usage, thereby increasing the risks of heart failure. Hence, according to Dr. Yaranov, if someone is already using these drugs, it is better to keep them under close monitoring.
Did You Know? Stress is one of the most underrated factors that can lead to various heart diseases, as well as mental health issues. If you are looking for a way to de-stress, here are 6 hacks that can help you out!
So, it all comes down to one simple solution- awareness. If you stay aware, work out regularly, and maintain a healthy diet, you can reduce the chances of contracting CVD. This is one of the most crucial tips for a healthy heart by experts that can keep your heart health at bay.
Also, remember to consult a doctor and stick only to the top recommended heart medications to stay safe and avoid CVD complications.
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