What You Need to Know About 5 Common Medications and Potential Heart Risks After Age 60
As we get older, medications become an increasingly important part of managing health. Many adults over 60 take several prescription or over-the-counter medicines every day for conditions such as high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep problems, or heart disease.
These medicines can be extremely beneficial. However, aging can also change how the body processes medications. Kidney and liver function may decline, sensitivity to certain drugs may increase, and taking several medications at once can create interactions.
Some commonly used medications can also affect blood pressure, heart rhythm, fluid balance, or bleeding risk. That doesn’t mean these medicines are unsafe or that older adults should avoid them. It means they should be used thoughtfully and reviewed regularly.
Here are five medication groups that deserve particular attention.
1. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
NSAIDs include commonly used pain relievers such as ibuprofen and naproxen. They can be effective for headaches, muscle aches, arthritis, and other types of pain.
However, NSAIDs can increase blood pressure and cause the body to retain sodium and fluid. They can also affect kidney function. These effects can be especially important in older adults and people who already have hypertension, kidney disease, heart failure, or cardiovascular disease.
NSAIDs can also increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.
The cardiovascular risks are particularly important when NSAIDs are used at higher doses or for longer periods.
If you’re over 60 and regularly taking an NSAID for chronic pain, it’s worth asking your healthcare professional whether the medication is still appropriate and whether a lower dose, shorter duration, or alternative treatment would be safer.
Don’t assume that an over-the-counter medication is automatically harmless simply because you don’t need a prescription to purchase it.
2. Decongestants Containing Pseudoephedrine
Cold and allergy medicines can contain decongestants such as pseudoephedrine. These medications work by narrowing blood vessels, which can reduce swelling inside the nose and make breathing through the nose easier.
The same effect, however, can increase blood pressure and heart rate in some people.
This may be particularly relevant for older adults with high blood pressure, heart disease, abnormal heart rhythms, or other cardiovascular conditions.
Another important issue is that many combination cold medicines contain multiple active ingredients. A person may unknowingly take more than one medication containing the same ingredient.
