A new study has found that a common blood pressure medicine might raise the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, especially when taken in high doses. This finding has led health experts to warn doctors and patients to be careful when using this medication.
Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) is a life-threatening emergency where the heart suddenly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other parts of the body.
Without quick treatment, a person can become unconscious and die within minutes. SCA is one of the top causes of heart-related deaths in Europe and causes about one in five natural deaths overall.
The new research was done by scientists from the European Sudden Cardiac Arrest Network. They looked at two commonly used drugs—nifedipine and amlodipine. Both drugs are used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain.
To carry out the study, researchers examined health data from over 2,500 people in the Netherlands who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest. They compared these cases to more than 10,000 people who had not experienced SCA. They also looked at a separate group of over 8,000 patients and 40,000 healthy people in Denmark.
Their analysis found that people who took high doses of nifedipine—about 60 milligrams per day—had a higher chance of having sudden cardiac arrest. However, people who took amlodipine did not seem to have this same risk. This difference is surprising because both drugs have been around for a long time and are often thought to be safe.
Part of the reason this risk wasn’t seen earlier is that SCA happens so suddenly. It’s hard to study something that can occur without warning, and many past studies didn’t find strong links between certain drugs and SCA.
The researchers aren’t suggesting that everyone stop using nifedipine. They say more research is needed to understand the link better. But they are urging doctors to be extra careful when giving high doses of nifedipine, especially to people who already have heart problems.
Patients who are taking nifedipine should not stop their medicine without talking to a doctor. But they should watch for warning signs such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or feeling sick to their stomach, and tell their doctor right away if they notice anything unusual.
High blood pressure is a serious and widespread health issue. If left untreated, it can lead to strokes, heart attacks, and other problems. Medications like nifedipine help keep blood pressure under control. But this study shows it’s important to balance the benefits of a drug with any possible side effects.
Doctors may decide to give lower doses of nifedipine or choose another medicine with fewer risks. This decision depends on each patient’s health history and condition.
This research also highlights the need to keep studying the causes of sudden cardiac arrest and how to prevent it. Other drugs used for high blood pressure might need closer review as well.
Besides medication, lifestyle choices can also help prevent SCA. Eating healthy, staying active, avoiding smoking, and drinking less alcohol can all support heart health. People should also have regular check-ups to catch any heart problems early.
For people at higher risk of SCA, doctors sometimes recommend a device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). This device keeps track of the heart’s rhythm and can give an electric shock to restart the heart if needed.
Knowing how to do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) can also save lives. If someone has SCA, CPR can help keep their blood flowing until medical help arrives.
This study is a reminder that even trusted medications need to be used carefully. Nifedipine can be very useful, but like any drug, it has to be given with thought and care. Ongoing research and clear communication between patients and healthcare professionals are key to staying safe and healthy.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about breakfast for better blood pressure management, and the gut feeling that lowers blood pressure.
For more health information, please see recent studies about how the dash diet helps lower blood pressure, and how to eat your way to healthy blood pressure.
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