A headline like “WARNING! These tablets can cause blood clots and heart attacks” is too broad to be accurate. While some medications can increase the risk of blood clots or cardiovascular events, the risk depends on the specific drug, the dose, the person’s health, and other risk factors.
Examples of medications that may increase clot or heart attack risk in some people include:
- Combined oral contraceptive pills (containing estrogen): Can increase the risk of blood clots, especially in people who smoke, are older, or have certain medical conditions.
- Hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen: May raise the risk of blood clots and stroke in some individuals.
- Some Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (such as Ibuprofen and Diclofenac) may slightly increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, particularly with high doses or long-term use.
- Certain cancer treatments and some medications used for autoimmune diseases may also increase clotting risk.
Warning signs of a blood clot
Seek urgent medical care if you develop symptoms such as:
- Swelling, pain, warmth, and redness in one leg (possible Deep Vein Thrombosis)
- Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, or coughing up blood (possible Pulmonary Embolism)
- Symptoms of a heart attack, such as chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, shortness of breath, nausea, or cold sweats (possible Heart Attack)
It’s important not to stop a prescribed medication without consulting the healthcare professional who prescribed it, as the benefits often outweigh the risks for many people.
If you have a specific tablet or medication in mind, tell me its name and I can explain its known risks and who is most likely to be affected.
