When those cravings kick in, there’s often nothing better than digging into a cheesy pizza and greasy fries. However, the inevitable heartburn and acid reflux that follows is anything but enjoyable. This is why so many people around the world rely on certain heartburn medications to deal with this issue when it arises. But can heartburn drugs cause heart attacks? A 2015 study found that a certain class of drugs used to treat acid reflux may actually increase your risk of suffering a heart attack. This article will explore this claim to find out if there is any validity to it.
Can Heartburn Drugs Cause Heart Attacks?
In 2015, Stanford University researchers established a link between certain heartburn medications and an increased risk of suffering heart attacks. For the study, the researchers analyzed the medical records of more than 3 million individuals. They then went through the records, looking for any link between individuals who had suffered heart attacks and those using heartburn medication. They particularly focused on the use of proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as Prilosec, Nexium, and Prevacid. These PPIs are top sellers on the pharmaceutical market, collectively making around $14 billion annually.
What Prompted The Study?
Some estimates say that around 20 million adults in the US take heartburn medication regularly. Therefore, it is crucial that any potential health risks to the public are fully understood. A few laboratory experiments had already indicated a potential link between PPI consumption and heart tissue. This is what led researchers such as Nigam Shah to want to investigate this potential link further. Shah is employed at Stanford University as an assistant professor of medicine and biomedical informatics. Along with his team, they started to search through the medical records, looking for potential links between those who used PPIs and those who suffered heart attacks.
Findings Of The Study
The study found that patients who used PPIs to treat gastroesophageal reflux disease were 16% to 21% more likely to suffer a heart attack. This was compared to those who did not use these medications over the same 17-year period. However, this was only found to be true for PPI medication, and this effect was not found in all acid-suppressing drugs. The study found that patients who were taking H2 receptor blockers such as Tagamet, Pepcid, and Zantac did not exhibit the same increase in risk. According to Dr. Nicholas Leeper, co-author of the study, “The findings show that proton-pump inhibitors may not only lower stomach acid, they may also affect the health of the blood vessel itself”.
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So, Can Heartburn Drugs Cause Heart Attacks?
While the numbers may seem like cause for concern, not everyone is convinced by the results. Some drug-safety researchers, such as Dr. David Juulink, warn that “The problem is, it’s very easy to do studies of this sort that lead to conclusions that can be misleading. I know because I’ve done that myself”. The risk increase is also considered relatively small, especially for those individuals who aren’t at high risk to begin with. However, there is some concern for those who already have a high heart attack risk. For people in this group, even small risk increases can make them more vulnerable to a heart attack.
Other Risk Factors Are Still More Concerning
If you are already at high risk, it would be advised to change your medication from PPIs to something else. However, when it comes to heart attack risk factors, there are others besides PPI medication that are still far more concerning. Not only do lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, smoking, and a bad diet increase your risk, but they also increase reliance on PPI medications. It’s a vicious cycle that can only really be broken through a change in lifestyle habits. Simply making a few worthwhile adjustments to your lifestyle will come with a whole range of benefits to your mental and physical health.
The Bottom Line
The study suggests that PPIs may impair blood vessel function, which could potentially lead to cardiovascular issues. However, the researchers have also pointed out that the study has certain limitations, as it was observational. Additionally, there may also be certain factors, such as existing health conditions, that weren’t fully accounted for. While the study does raise some cause for concern, more research is needed to fully confirm these results. However, if you already have a high heart attack risk, it’s better to swap your PPIs for a different medication.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and is for information only. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about your medical condition and/or current medication. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking advice or treatment because of something you have read here.
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