Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the most dangerous medical emergencies. It happens when the heart suddenly stops beating in a normal way and can no longer pump blood to the brain and the rest of the body.
When this occurs, a person can collapse without warning, stop breathing, and lose consciousness within seconds. Without immediate treatment, such as CPR or a defibrillator, death can occur within minutes. Because it strikes so quickly, sudden cardiac arrest is responsible for a large number of deaths worldwide.
In Europe, sudden cardiac arrest accounts for about half of all deaths caused by heart disease and around one in five natural deaths. Some people experience warning signs before it happens, including chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea. However, many people have no symptoms at all, which makes it very difficult to predict who is at risk.
A new study from the European Sudden Cardiac Arrest network has revealed a surprising possible link between a commonly used blood pressure medication and an increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
The drug, called nifedipine, has been prescribed for decades to treat high blood pressure and chest pain. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, forces the heart to work harder and can damage blood vessels over time, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Nifedipine belongs to a group of medicines known as calcium channel blockers. These drugs relax and widen blood vessels so blood can flow more easily, which lowers blood pressure and reduces strain on the heart. Another drug in the same group is amlodipine, which is also widely used and considered safe.
To investigate whether these medications might affect the risk of sudden cardiac arrest, researchers analyzed health data from two large groups of people.
The first group included more than 2,500 individuals who had experienced sudden cardiac arrest and over 10,500 healthy individuals in the Netherlands. The researchers compared the medications these people were taking before the event.
They found that people who were taking a high daily dose of nifedipine, about 60 milligrams, had a higher risk of sudden cardiac arrest compared to people who were not taking the drug. Interestingly, the same increased risk was not seen in people taking amlodipine, even though both drugs work in similar ways.
To confirm their findings, the scientists conducted a second analysis using data from Denmark. This group included more than 8,000 people who had suffered sudden cardiac arrest and about 40,000 healthy individuals. Once again, the results suggested that high doses of nifedipine were linked to a higher risk, while amlodipine was not.
These findings surprised many experts because both medications have been trusted treatments for high blood pressure for many years. Earlier research did not identify this risk, possibly because sudden cardiac arrest happens so suddenly and is difficult to study. It often occurs outside of hospitals, leaving little time to collect detailed medical information.
The researchers emphasized that more studies are needed to fully understand the connection and to determine why high doses of nifedipine might increase risk. They advise doctors to be cautious when prescribing high doses and to carefully consider each patient’s health history.
For patients currently taking nifedipine, experts stress that they should not stop their medication without medical guidance.
Blood pressure drugs are important for preventing heart attacks and strokes, and stopping suddenly can be dangerous. Anyone with concerns should speak with their doctor to discuss whether adjustments or alternative treatments might be appropriate.
This research highlights the importance of ongoing safety studies for medications, even those that have been used for many years. As new data becomes available, doctors can make better decisions to keep patients safe.
If you care about high blood pressure, please read studies about unhealthy habits that may increase high blood pressure risk, and drinking green tea could help lower blood pressure.
For more information about high blood pressure, please see recent studies about what to eat or to avoid for high blood pressure, and 12 foods that lower blood pressure.
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