There are several remedies that, although not used to treat heart problems, have an effect on the organ and may, over time, cause changes that lead to the onset of heart disease.
Some of these drugs, such as antidepressants, anti-inflammatories and contraceptives, for example, are widely used and it is therefore advisable to take these medicines only with the advice of a doctor, especially when it is necessary to use them for a long time. time.
1. Tricyclic antidepressants
This type of antidepressants is used especially in the most severe cases of depression because they cause strong side effects that can affect the heart, causing an increase in heart rate, drop in blood pressure on rising, changes in the electrical functioning of the heart and may still hamper work of the ventricles.
However, when used properly and in controlled doses, these medicines have a low risk of heart problems and can be used after rigorous medical evaluation.
Examples of tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, doxepin, amoxapine or maprotiline.
2. Anti-inflammatory drugs
Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work by inhibiting renal prostaglandins, which can cause fluid build-up in the body. In this way, the pressure on the heart increases and, if kept for a long time, can cause dilation of the heart muscle, which can lead to heart failure, for example.
This effect can still be observed in some corticoid medicines, however, in this type of medication there are other effects, such as problems of vision or weakening of the bones, and should only be used with the advice of a doctor. Learn more about how corticosteroids affect the body.
Examples of anti-inflammatories that affect the heart: phenylbutazone, indomethacin and some corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone.
3. Contraceptives
Estrogen-based contraceptives have always been linked to the development of cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke, for example. However, with the reduction of doses, this risk is very low, being almost nil.
However, this type of contraception also increases the risk of venous thrombosis, especially in women smokers over 35 years. Thus, contraceptive use should always be evaluated with the gynecologist to identify possible risk factors.
Examples of contraceptives that affect the heart: Diane 35, Selene, Cycle 21, Level, Microvlar, Soluna, Norestin, Minulet, Harmonet, Mercilon or Marvelon.
4. Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are widely used to alleviate symptoms of psychiatric problems, there are several types, according to the problem that needs to be treated. Within this type, phenothiazine antipsychotics produce some side effects that can affect the heart, such as marked decrease in blood pressure and arrhythmias, in rarer cases.
In addition, phenothiazine antipsychotics may also be related to increased risk of sudden death and should therefore only be used with medical indication and under frequent evaluations.
Examples of phenothiazine antipsychotics that affect the heart: thioridazine, chlorpromazine, triflupromazine, levomepromazine, trifluoperazine or fluphenazine.
5. Antineoplastics
Antineoplastics are used in chemotherapy and, while helping to eliminate tumor cells, also cause many side effects that affect the whole organism. The most common effects on the heart include changes in heart muscle strength, arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure and changes in the electrical functioning of the heart, which can result in heart failure, for example.
Although they have all these effects, antineoplastic agents are usually needed to save the patient's life and are therefore used to fight cancer, even if they can cause other problems, which can then also be treated.
Examples of antineoplastic agents that affect the heart: doxorubicin, daunorubicin, fluorouracil, vincristine, vinblastine, cyclophosphamide or mitoxantrone.
6. Levodopa
Levodopa is one of the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of Parkinson's cases, however, it can cause important cardiac changes like arrhythmias or marked decrease in blood pressure when lifting, for example.
Therefore, people taking this medicine should make regular consultations with the neurologist and the cardiologist to evaluate the effects of Levodopa on the body.
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