6 common drugs that increase the risk of heart failure, according to a pharmacist

Your heart is one of the most important organs in your body, the main powerhouse that controls the flow of blood that affects all other organs and systems. A lots of life choices can help keep your heart good working condition, including a healthy diet and regular exercise. Some people may also take certain medications, like statins or anti-clotting agents, to help their heart function as it should.

Many factors can contribute to potential heart failure, including certain medications that are commonly used to treat other illnesses and diseases—and this is especially true if you have a history of heart problems. Christine CadizPharmD, told The best life which drugs might increase you risk of heart failure. Read on to find out what they are.

READ THE FOLLOWING: If this happens to you in the bathroom, check for heart failure.

1

Advil

People with heart failure should avoid taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sold under brand names such as Advil, Aleve and Motrin, Cadiz explains. “All NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, may increase the risk of heart failure exacerbations (or acute worsening of heart failure) and hospitalizations.”

NSAIDs can also lead to high blood pressure, due to the narrowing and constriction of the blood vessels in your body. Not to mention that “when combined with other drugs commonly used to treat heart failure, NSAIDs also increase the risk of kidney toxicity,” Cadiz says.

2

Aspirin

Aspirin is another NSAID that can also be used as a blood thinner and to treat inflammation, headaches, pain and fever. According to Cadiz, this drug “should be avoided in high doses used to treat pain and inflammation, although low-dose aspirin used to protect the cardiovascular system is generally fine.”

Heart failure can occur because high doses of aspirin can cause sodium retention, which then leads to excess water in the body. “Too much fluid in the body leads to symptoms such as swelling of the legs, bloating in the abdomen, congestion in the lungs that results in worsening shortness of breath, and also makes it difficult for the heart to pump enough blood to the body,” she explains.

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READ THE FOLLOWING: Drinking every day can reduce the risk of heart failure, a new study says.

3

Sudafed

“Pseudoephedrine [the active ingredient in Sudafed] it constricts the blood vessels in the nose and sinuses,” explains Harvard Health. “This reduces swelling and drains fluid, allowing you to breathe more easily again. Unfortunately, the medicine does not only work on the head – on him constricts blood vessels all over the body.”

Cadiz says this constriction “may cause cardiac toxicity, especially with higher doses or long-term use.” This means that Sudafed and other decongestants may increase the risk of hospitalization and heart failure in people with existing heart problems. These drugs “should be avoided in patients with heart failure or any cardiovascular disease,” she warns.

4

Vitamin E

While humans need healthy doses of vitamins and minerals to survive, it is a well-known fact that they can be risky to take too much any supplement. Cadiz says dietary supplements can lead to unwanted outcomes in patients with underlying diseases or those taking other medications.

“A study recently published in European Journal of Heart Failure found that vitamin E supplementation was associated with a modest but significant increase in heart failure hospitalizations, although the reason for this is unclear,” she says. “Based on the results, the study authors concluded that vitamin E may worsen outcomes in patients with pre-existing heart failure. heart failure”, but fortunately it did not increase the risk of developing heart failure.

“As with any medication, an evaluation of the risks and benefits of the therapy is recommended before starting to supplement,” she says. “Also, it’s important not to take more than the recommended daily dose.”

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5

Certain medicines for diabetes

About one in 10 Americans he suffers from diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This disease is a chronic medical condition that affects the way your body converts food into energy. For people with diabetes, the body has trouble making i regulating insulinwhich causes blood sugar to rise and leads to a number of other health problems.

Cadiz explains that patients with a history of heart failure should not use several diabetes medications. “These are known as thiazolidinediones (TZDs) such as pioglitazone (Actos) and rosiglitazone (Avandia, now discontinued in the US). These agents can cause fluid retention and can worsen heart failure.”

Fortunately, there is some good news when it comes to these drugs and your heart. “Not all diabetes medications are harmful in heart failure,” notes Cadiz. “There are actually specific diabetes medications that have been shown to be very helpful in heart failure, which are SGLT2 inhibitors (empagliflozin known as Jardiance and dapagliflozin known as Farxiga).”

6

Some anticancer drugs

“In recent decades, there have been many advances in cancer treatment,” says Cadiz. “Unfortunately, some of the most effective drugs in the fight against cancer can be associated with serious heart complications. Some classes of cancer drugs are known to have a higher risk of chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity, leading to symptoms of heart failure due to reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, or reduced ability of the heart to contract effectively to pump blood around the body.”

The drugs most commonly associated with cardiotoxicity are anthracyclines, including doxorubicin, idarubicin, and daunorubicin. The more you take these drugs, the greater your risk of developing heart failure. “Because anthracyclines and other chemotherapy agents increase the risk of heart failure and other cardiovascular complications, the field of research and practice called cardio-oncology has been growing in recent years with the goal of treating and preventing cardiotoxicity with cancer therapy,” explains Cadiz.

Best Life offers the most up-to-date information from top experts, new research and health agencies, but our content is not a substitute for professional guidance. When it comes to medications you are taking or any other health concerns you may have, always consult your doctor directly.