Older adults often take several medications at the same time, and most of those treatments are prescribed because their benefits outweigh their risks. Still, certain medicines can raise blood pressure, increase the tendency to form blood clots, disturb heart rhythm, or interact with existing cardiovascular conditions.
That does not mean everyone taking these drugs will suffer a heart attack or stroke. Risk depends on the medication, dose, duration of use, age, medical history, and other medicines being taken.
Most importantly, never stop a prescribed medication on your own because of
an online warning. Instead, understand which drug groups deserve extra caution and discuss concerns with a doctor or pharmacist.
1. Certain Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, commonly called NSAIDs, are widely used for pain and inflammation.
Examples include medicines containing:
Ibuprofen
Naproxen
Diclofenac
Celecoxib
These medications can be helpful for arthritis, injuries, and other painful conditions, but they are not completely risk-free.
Some NSAIDs can increase the risk of cardiovascular events, particularly in people who already have heart disease or major risk factors.
They may also:
Raise blood pressure
Cause fluid retention
Affect kidney function
Interfere with certain blood-pressure medicines
Older adults who use NSAIDs frequently should discuss the safest dose and duration with their healthcare professional.
2. Some Decongestants
Cold and allergy medications sometimes contain stimulants designed to shrink swollen blood vessels inside the nose.
Common examples include products containing:
Pseudoephedrine
Phenylephrine
Because these medicines constrict blood vessels, they may temporarily raise blood pressure and heart rate.
This may be more important for people with:
Uncontrolled hypertension
Coronary artery disease
Previous stroke
Certain heart rhythm disorders
A person
with cardiovascular disease should check with a pharmacist or doctor before routinely using oral decongestants.
3. Some Hormone Treatments
Certain hormone-containing medications can affect the risk of blood clot formation.
Depending on the formulation and individual risk factors, estrogen-containing therapies may increase the likelihood of venous blood clots and, in selected people, stroke or other cardiovascular complications.
Risk is influenced by factors such as:
Age
Smoking
Previous blood clots
Migraine with aura
Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Hormone therapy can still be appropriate for many people, but it should be individualized rather
