A new study has raised concern about a common medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
The research shows that this medicine might increase the chance of a dangerous event called sudden cardiac arrest, especially when taken at a high dose.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a serious condition where the heart suddenly stops beating. When this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other parts of the body. A person may quickly fall unconscious and stop breathing.
If not treated right away, sudden cardiac arrest can lead to death. In Europe, it causes about half of all heart-related deaths and one out of every five natural deaths.
The study was done by researchers in the European Sudden Cardiac Arrest Network. They looked at two common blood pressure medications: nifedipine and amlodipine. Both drugs are used to help people with high blood pressure and chest pain.
The researchers studied health records from over 2,500 people who had sudden cardiac arrest in the Netherlands and compared them to over 10,000 healthy people.
They found something concerning. People who took a high dose of nifedipine — 60 milligrams per day — had a higher chance of sudden cardiac arrest. On the other hand, the other drug, amlodipine, did not show this risk.
To double-check their findings, the scientists looked at medical data from over 8,000 patients and more than 40,000 healthy people in Denmark. They found the same result.
This is surprising because nifedipine and amlodipine have been used for many years without major problems. One reason this connection hasn’t been noticed before is that sudden cardiac arrest happens very quickly and is hard to study.
The researchers say more studies are needed to be sure about this risk. But they also warn that doctors should be careful when giving high doses of nifedipine, especially to patients who already have heart problems. Patients should also watch out for warning signs like chest pain, trouble breathing, or nausea, and report them to a doctor immediately.
High blood pressure is a common health issue, and nifedipine is helpful for many people. Still, this study shows it’s important to think about both the benefits and the risks of any medicine. Doctors may want to try lower doses or choose different medicines to keep their patients safe.
This research also reminds us why it’s important to keep studying sudden cardiac arrest and how to prevent it. Other drugs used for blood pressure and chest pain might need to be studied in the same way to make sure they are safe.
People can also lower their risk of sudden cardiac arrest by living a healthy life. Eating well, exercising, avoiding smoking, and not drinking too much alcohol can all help. Seeing a doctor regularly is also important to catch any early signs of heart problems.
In some cases, a small device called an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) can be placed in the body. It checks the heart’s rhythm and gives a small electric shock if the heart stops, which can save a life.
Knowing how to do CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) is another way to help in an emergency. CPR keeps blood moving until help arrives.
This study is a reminder that even medicines we’ve trusted for years should be used with care. Nifedipine helps many people, but doctors and patients should stay alert to possible risks. Talking openly with healthcare providers and staying informed can help keep treatments both safe and effective.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
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