Daily use of heartburn drugs may increase the risk of heart attacks, according to a new study.
Stanford University researchers found that popular over-the-counter antacids are linked to a 16-21% higher risk of heart attack.
They looked at medical records from 2.9 million individuals to examine whether Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) found in antacids were associated with cardiovascular risk in the general population.
"We looked at cardiovascular risk for different PPI drugs," said the study's lead author, Nigam Shah. "And we found that the degree to which the use of any particular PPI was associated with a subsequent heart attack mirrors the degree to which the drug inhibits nitric oxide in the vasculature."
Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid are hugely popular (and likely overused) in the U.S., with sales of $14 billion a year. The researchers aren't saying that people should avoid the products.
"The association we found with PPI use and increased chances of a subsequent heart attack doesn't in and of itself prove causation," Shah said.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com
Stanford University researchers found that popular over-the-counter antacids are linked to a 16-21% higher risk of heart attack.
They looked at medical records from 2.9 million individuals to examine whether Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) found in antacids were associated with cardiovascular risk in the general population.
"We looked at cardiovascular risk for different PPI drugs," said the study's lead author, Nigam Shah. "And we found that the degree to which the use of any particular PPI was associated with a subsequent heart attack mirrors the degree to which the drug inhibits nitric oxide in the vasculature."
Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid are hugely popular (and likely overused) in the U.S., with sales of $14 billion a year. The researchers aren't saying that people should avoid the products.
"The association we found with PPI use and increased chances of a subsequent heart attack doesn't in and of itself prove causation," Shah said.
by RTT Staff Writer
For comments and feedback: editorial@rttnews.com
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