Heart Medications
The development of these medications have helped dramatically decrease death rates from cardiovascular disease in the United States and other developed countries.
Heart Medications Articles
Some signs of aging can be similar to medication side effects. For example, thinking skills decline in older age may be similar to the side effect of confusion from a group of medications called anticholinergics. To discern the difference, one should keep a chart or a log of all medications taken, and record the medication start date. If a side effect is noted within a few days or weeks of starting a medication, then it is more likely that the symptom is medication related.
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The discovery of 44 gene sites associated with high blood pressure may provide leads for developing new drugs to treat this common condition.
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Millions of older adults aren’t taking their blood pressure drugs as directed. Ways to combat adherence problems include asking a doctor for less expensive drugs, understanding what a medication is for, and reporting side effects.
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People who take warfarin—long a mainstay for treating atrial fibrillation—may need to stay extra vigilant to make sure their blood levels of this drug stay in a safe but effective range. Warfarin works by blocking the production of substances in the blood known as clotting factors. Many common drugs, foods, and dietary supplements affect warfarin, so the same dose may cause either too much or too little anti-clotting effect at different times. And warfarin users who have health-related changes should stay in close contact with their doctors about possible additional blood testing.
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About 66% of adults over age 70 still take antihypertensive medication even though they now have low pressures, says a study from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom. Researchers say this exposes adults to medication side effects like dizziness and falls.
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The FDA is warning that over-the-counter antacids with aspirin in them can cause stomach bleeding in rare cases.
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Aspirin is known as a powerful painkiller and fever reducer. In addition, a daily low-dose aspirin (81 mg) dramatically reduces the risk of a second heart attack or certain types of stroke. Research also shows that aspirin might help fight colorectal cancer and possibly inhibit other cancers as well. However, aspirin can cause bleeding that can be dangerous for some people. New guidelines help doctors determine who is a good candidate for daily aspirin therapy.
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When older people start taking a new blood pressure drug or change the dose of their current drug, they may be more prone to a serious fall during the following two weeks. But this increased fall risk doesn’t seem to persist over the long term.
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An 81-milligram aspirin is recommended daily for people ages 50 through 69 who have an increased risk of heart attack or stroke. It might also reduce colon cancer risk. A 325-milligram aspirin tablet can mitigate the effects of heart attack or stroke.
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The FDA has withdrawn its approval for two older cholesterol-lowering medications, niacin and fenofibrate, for use in combination with a statin. Several large clinical trials found no heart-related benefits from the drugs.
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