A new study from the European Sudden Cardiac Arrest network has found that a common drug used to treat high blood pressure might be linked to a higher chance of sudden cardiac arrest.
This discovery means that both doctors and patients should be careful when using this medicine.
Sudden cardiac arrest is a very serious condition. It happens when the heart suddenly stops beating. When this occurs, blood can no longer reach the brain and other parts of the body. Without quick medical help, it can cause death within minutes. In Europe, it causes about half of all heart-related deaths and one in five natural deaths.
In this study, scientists looked at two medicines often used for high blood pressure and chest pain. These medicines are called nifedipine and amlodipine. The researchers studied health data from many people, including both patients and healthy individuals. They wanted to see if either of these drugs were linked to sudden cardiac arrest.
They found something surprising. People who took high doses of nifedipine were more likely to suffer from sudden cardiac arrest. However, people who took amlodipine did not have the same risk. This result was unexpected because these drugs have been used for a long time and were thought to be safe.
The reason earlier studies may not have seen this risk is that sudden cardiac arrest happens very fast and can be hard to study. Because of this, the researchers believe more studies are needed to be sure of the results.
Until more is known, doctors and patients should stay alert. If someone is taking a high dose of nifedipine and begins to feel chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea, they should contact a doctor immediately. These symptoms could be signs of a heart problem that needs urgent care.
Doctors should also be careful when prescribing high doses of nifedipine, especially to patients who already have heart issues. In some cases, it might be safer to lower the dose or choose a different medicine instead.
This study is a reminder of how important it is to keep doing research on sudden cardiac arrest. There is still a lot we do not know about what causes it and how to prevent it. Continued research can also help us learn whether other medicines for high blood pressure or chest pain have similar risks.
In short, while drugs like nifedipine are helpful for many people, they should be used with caution. Patients should pay attention to how they feel, and doctors should consider the possible risks when giving high doses. With more research, we can make safer choices and protect more lives.
If you care about health, please read studies about the benefits of low-dose lithium supplements, and what we know about egg intake and heart disease.
For more health information, please see recent studies about potatoes and high blood pressure, and results showing 6 best breads for people with heart disease.
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