Headlines like “these 5 medications increase the risk of heart attack and stroke in older people” need context. Medicines are rarely simply “good” or “bad”—the risk depends on the person’s health, dose, duration of use, and whether the medication is needed.
Some medication groups that may increase cardiovascular risk in certain older adults include:
- NSAID pain relievers
Examples: Ibuprofen and Naproxen- Long-term or high-dose use may increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, fluid retention, or blood pressure problems in some people.
- Some decongestants
Examples: Pseudoephedrine- Can raise blood pressure and heart rate, which may be a concern for people with heart disease or uncontrolled hypertension.
- Certain diabetes medications (in specific situations)
- Some medicines require careful selection depending on heart and kidney health. Many newer diabetes medicines actually provide heart benefits for some patients.
- Some hormone-related medicines
- Certain hormone therapies may increase clot risk, especially with age and certain risk factors.
- Some antipsychotic medications
- In older adults, especially those with dementia-related conditions, certain antipsychotics carry increased risks and require careful monitoring.
Important:
Do not stop any prescribed medication suddenly because of a warning online. Stopping some medicines can itself cause serious problems. If you are concerned about a medication, review it with your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have the list of the five specific medications from the article or video, share them and I can explain what the evidence says about each one.
