5 Medication Groups Older Adults Should Review for Heart and Stroke Risk
The headline “5 medications cause heart attacks and strokes” is too broad. Some medicines can increase cardiovascular risk in certain people, particularly older adults or people who already have high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease. The risk depends on the specific drug, dose, duration, and medical history.
Here are five important categories to discuss with a doctor or pharmacist:
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Non-aspirin NSAID painkillers
Medicines such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and diclofenac can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The FDA says cardiovascular risk can occur early in treatment and may increase with higher doses or longer use. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1 -
Decongestants
Ingredients such as pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine can constrict blood vessels and raise blood pressure. They can be particularly concerning for people with hypertension or heart disease. www.heart.org+1 -
Systemic corticosteroids
Medicines such as prednisone and methylprednisolone can raise blood pressure and affect cardiovascular risk factors, particularly with longer-term use. www.heart.org -
Certain JAK inhibitors
Drugs including tofacitinib, baricitinib, and upadacitinib carry FDA warnings about increased risks of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, in certain patients. U.S. Food and Drug Administration -
Aspirin when used without medical guidance
This one is especially important: aspirin can prevent heart attacks and clot-related strokes in selected people, but it isn’t appropriate for everyone. In some older adults without established cardiovascular disease, the bleeding risk can outweigh the benefit. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1
Don’t stop prescribed medicines on your own
A medication that carries cardiovascular risks may still be the right treatment for a particular person because its benefits can outweigh those risks. Older adults are also more susceptible to drug interactions and changes in how medicines are processed by the body. U.S. Food and Drug Administration+1
If you take several medications, having a pharmacist or doctor review your complete medication list—including over-the-counter painkillers and cold medicines—is often more useful than simply avoiding a particular drug category.
