The Cardiac Risks of Several Common Medications

We take medications in the hope of improving our lives, and most of us trust that the positive effects usually outweigh the negative ones. Just as importantly, we trust that most of what we’re taking is as safe as it is effective. But that’s not always the case. Sometimes our medications do much more harm than good, including the worst possible outcome.

Hydroxychloroquine and Heart Rhythm

Once only well-known to people who used the prescription antimalarial to fight lupus and RA, hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) became a temporary household name amid the COVID-19 pandemic. While this medication may not have delivered against the virus, it has improved the quality of countless autoimmune disease sufferers. The FDA advises that people take this medication only if they really need it, warning that it can sometimes trigger serious and potentially deadly heart rhythms.

NSAIDs and Cardiovascular Risk

How many people pop an ibuprofen or naproxen at the first sign of a headache without any idea that they’re increasing their cardiovascular risks? Research has shown NSAIDs can raise blood pressure and cause renal dysfunction, both of which can have deadly effects on the heart. Most healthy people are okay to take the occasional NSAID, but people with kidney or heart conditions should avoid them whenever possible.

Antidepressants May be Dangerous

There’s so much we don’t know about antidepressants. According to New Scientist, doctors can only really guess at how they work. And for all the good they’ve done for many people, they’ve shown a much darker side to a subset of unfortunate souls. Some antidepressants are safer than others, but nearly every type has been linked to some kind of cardiovascular risk. People who do take antidepressants should talk to their doctor about monitoring for cardiac events.

Stimulants and Heart Risk

Stimulants, whether illegal or prescribed, cause hypertension and increase heart rate, sometimes to over 100 beats per minute. One study found prescription stimulant treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder increased a person’s chances of dying from a cardiovascular event by 17%.

The American Heart Association warns that illegal stimulants, which include amphetamines, ecstasy and cocaine, all seriously damage the cardiovascular system. It also considers cocaine “the perfect heart-attack drug.”

The Risks of Cancer Medications

Some medications can put patients between a real rock and a hard place, forcing them to choose between their illness and the severe side effects of their treatments. Many cancer drugs fall into this category, some with dangerously high risks. Combined treatments often increase cardiovascular damage, as can radiation therapy, but protective agents are also available that can mitigate the effects.

Obviously, no medication should be taken on lightly. If there is a way to treat without exposing the body to the threats and potential side-effects, that''s probably best. But, on the other side, we should never skimp on our meds or take them in a way that goes outside the prescripted treatment plans.

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