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Taking ibuprofen and other common medicines could make heart failure worse: Patients should also avoid green tea, grapefruit juice and liquorice say experts
Ibuprofen, cold remedies and indigestion pills could worsen heart failure
Experts say patients with condition should avoid green tea and some herbs
Also say they should stop drinking grapefruit juice and eating liquorice Ibuprofen, cold and flu remedies and indigestion pills could worsen heart failure, which affects one million Britons, experts have warned
They are also urging patients with the condition to avoid green tea, grapefruit juice, liquorice and some herbs because they could also weaken the heart.
The American Heart Association is publishing guidelines today urging doctors to check all patients’ medications thoroughly to ensure they aren’t inadvertently putting their lives at risk.
The organisation is one of the largest and most influential in the world and its recommendations will be closely heeded by medical professionals here in the UK.
Around 900,000 Britons have heart failure, which occurs when the heart muscle is too weak to pump blood around the body, causing extreme tiredness, breathlessness and swelling of the legs.
It usually develops in patients who have previously suffered a heart attack or stroke, and symptoms tend to deteriorate with time.
But experts are concerned that some common medications cause the body to store excess fluid and salt, which means the heart has to work harder.
This is a particularly problematic in patients with heart failure, whose hearts are already very weak.
Research has shown that such patients who take ibuprofen or similar pills are ten times more likely to experience a flare-up of symptoms, and a third more likely to be admitted to hospital.
The American Heart Association is urging patients with heart failure not to take any of a common group of painkillers known as Non-Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs, (NSAIDs), which includes ibuprofen. They should also avoid remedies that contain ibuprofen, such as Nurofen, cold and flu relief, and some indigestion relief, including Gaviscon, which has a similar effect.
Patients should also steer clear of natural remedies such as liquorice, St John’s Wort and ginseng, particularly if their symptoms worsen. Today’s statement reminds doctors not to prescribe a wide range of pills for blood pressure, depression, arthritis and certain other conditions, which are already known to aggravate the heart.
They are also urging patients with the condition to avoid green tea, grapefruit juice, liquorice and some herbs because they could also weaken the heart
Dr Mariell Jessup, professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in the US and member of the American Heart Association said: ‘It’s very concerning that patients who have heart failure, if they take NSAIDS, it clearly aggravates sodium and fluid retention.
‘If the patient holds on to more salt and water, then it’s more work for the heart and will aggravate the heart failure condition.
‘There’s a wide variety of people who should be aware these aren’t harmless drugs.’
Referring to her own advice to patients, she added: ‘We in general tell patients not to take these drugs. If they want to take them on a regular basis, we ask them to discuss it with us and be mindful of the potential for salt and water retention.’
When asked about green tea and liquorice, she said: ‘The most important thing is that heart failure patients monitor themselves every morning.
‘We ask them to weigh themselves every day and be aware that food and other substances can cause them to hold on to salt and water.’
British experts urged heart failure patients not to be ‘alarmed’ but to take heed of the warning.
Professor Tony Fox, an expert in pharmaceutical medicine at King’s College London, said: ‘While heart failure patients should not be alarmed, this statement emphasises a few common sense things.
‘Make sure your doctor knows about all of the drugs that you take, including all herbal remedies. Do not start taking some new drug or herbal medicine without checking with your doctor first.
‘Be alert for mild adverse effects, and tell your doctor about them before they get any worse.’
Professor Peter Weissberg, medical director at the British Heart Foundation, urged patients not to ‘self medicate’ with over-the-counter pills or alternative remedies.
‘This statement provides a timely reminder that many drugs can have adverse effects on patients with heart failure,’ he said.
Source: Daily Mail