Headlines like “This common pill is wrecking your heart” can be alarming, but the truth is usually more specific: some medications can increase heart-related risks in certain older adults, depending on the person’s health, dose, and other medicines. A medication that is risky for one person may be helpful and appropriate for another.
Some commonly used medicines that doctors often review carefully in older adults include:
1. NSAID pain relievers
Examples include ibuprofen and naproxen.
- Long-term or high-dose use may increase the risk of:
- Higher blood pressure
- Fluid retention
- Heart attack or stroke in some higher-risk people
2. Certain decongestants
Examples include products containing pseudoephedrine.
- They can raise heart rate and blood pressure.
- Extra caution is needed in people with hypertension or heart disease.
3. Some medications that affect heart rhythm
- Certain drugs can prolong the QT interval (a measure of the heart’s electrical timing), which may increase the risk of dangerous rhythms in susceptible people.
4. Some diabetes medicines or combinations
- Severe low blood sugar episodes can stress the cardiovascular system, especially in older adults.
5. Some hormone therapies
- Certain hormone treatments may increase blood clot and stroke risk in some individuals, depending on age and personal risk factors.
What older adults should do
- Do not stop a prescribed medication suddenly because of an online warning.
- Ask a doctor or pharmacist:
- “Does this medicine increase my heart risk?”
- “Is my dose still appropriate?”
- “Are there safer alternatives for me?”
If you tell me the name of the pill mentioned in the warning (or the medicines you take), I can explain the actual heart risks and whether it is something to discuss with your doctor.
