Does anybody know of any research into the long term effects of heart meds on the rest of the body and organs, especially the brain?
Does reducing the flow of blood around the body in order to reduce the load on the heart cause earlier dementia for instance?
Perhaps somebody has looked at the numbers?
Hi TRST,
Beta blockers in particular have an immediate and measurable effect by dropping pulse rate and BP (on me at least) and causing extremities, hands and feet, to feel the cold, especially in the winter, due I assume to reduced blood flow.
My question is: the brain is an organ which requires a huge blood flow, how is this organ affected by this reduced flow, especially in the long term?
Surely someone must have done some studies on this?
I'm 73 now and my memory, especially for names is sometimes poor, although with an engineering degree, I can still remember many of the complex calculations I used to carry out (not so many computers in my day), but short term memory and some simple words sometimes elude me, seemingly more often now....
Yes I have asked the question of the relevant experts and they all pretty much say the same thing, they don't know of any major problems....but long term, they don't really know.
I was just interested if anyone in this forum knew of any research?
Calcium channel blockers have had a few adverse reports. Lots of research regarding heroin, alcohol, cocaine etc, but not so much run of the mill meds. Quite a bit of information about Amiodarone, but virtually no research of the effects of a cocktail of drugs taken at the same time. If you look at the leaflets that come in the drug packet and the do a search on the details that they contain you can spend many a happy hour...
Very good question. There are sites that you can put all your meds in to see if there is any problems between them, but nothing long term that I've found. I'm on heart meds but also meds for inflammatory arthritis and underactive thyroid, so I would be very interested in any studies showing long term benefit/damage.
I’m sorry I have already forgotten the question, is that a bad sign ? :)) ......Seriously folks....
I take a ubiquinol supplement which is supposed to replenish lost Ubiquinol in the body which may be caused by taking statins ... other than that, keep occupied, do stuff, hobbies / work etc and just get on with it and stop reading side effect horror stories ... or at least that is my advice to myself :))
Good luck...
You fool, only joking😂🤣😂
Very good question. To my mind ethics have to come before profit and the concept of quality not quantity of life factored in to research into all the results of medication outcomes. To whose advantage is it to fund such complex research? It's also very hard to disentangle which drug is having what effects let alone the combo. It's clear there are going to be unexpected effects and I feel since my aortic dissection a horrible sense of having lost posession of my own body. Its hard to just ignore side effects when get in the way of doing things.
Yes, the question of quantity v quality of life is one which I feel is not discussed enough, but decisions on this are made every day by clinicians via 'do not resuscitate' directions for clinical reasons, advanced cancer etc, but not normally for chronic degenerative conditions. Personally the thought of losing my mental capacity so that I needed constant care is pretty scary, and I would rather make a dignified exit than become a revenue stream for some care home, but of course by the time you are in this condition you have often lost the ability to recognise it....a physical oxymoron?.....I'm sure there's a better word for that, but you know what I mean.
A bit off subject but the dementia risk of heart drugs is my main worry.
I’ve been thinking about this as have just have Amlodpine added to the beta blockers due to high blood pressure. I have a medical background and read a lot. As people say there does not seem to be much said about the long term affects. BUT as my sister died at 76 a year ago of vascular dementia, having been in denial and therefore not medicated for her heart disease, I am less concerned about taking the drugs than not taking them. I do believe that exercise and good diet may help keep the brain healthy.
I have several friends, much older than myself, who have been on meds for decades and are mentally as sharp as a pin.Personally I think if I didn't take my meds I wouldn't get to find out how sharp my mind would be in old age if you catch my drift!😏
Per your drift, my dad tells me a story about one time he asked his GP about some heart related medication he was taking, and that my dad had found out it had some effects on memory. Upon enquiring about this, the doctor's response was to the point:"With this medication, at least you will be alive to know you're not remembering"
Me personally, I'm taking apixaban. Without it, I could stroke out and die. I'll take the side effects. We shouldn't blindly accept side effects of course, but sometimes the alternatives pale into comparison if not taking the medication.
OP, worthwhile question, just wanted to present the opinion that (unless it's not completely detrimental to one's wellbeing), I'm not that concerned by some long term side effects
Well there you are, they should be part of a report!
Good question
I'd never even thought of that but am all too aware that cognitive ability does deteriorate as you get older so I developed an obsession with crosswords and word puzzles and decided to learn a new language, Norwegian of all things at 72 yrs old. It's never too late to learn and do anything that keeps your brain active. Interesting article here on learning a language in later life; scroll well down but it definitely says "Studies show that learning a language increases the volume and density of gray matter, the volume of white matter, and brain connectivity. In older language learners, some studies show cognitive benefits beyond languages, such as for working memory." knowablemagazine.org/articl.... If you fancy a dabble or just topping up o your school French, try Duolingo. It's free and fun
I’m recovering from third degree heart block, spent 4 days in Critical Care, and had a pacemaker fitted. Apparently this condition is a result of long term calcium channel blockers. I have been on this medication for high blood pressure for 20 years
Many years ago I read that older women should avoid anaesthetic if possible and not bother to have face lifts. It reported that in many cases it had an effect on memory. I know that it’s taken me a year to get rid of the ‘fog’ and I often have to make a real effort to remember words and check as I put things in places in order to retrieve them . So I think it was being out for three hours during my bypass rather than the effect of the medication but I might be wrong
There's an interesting article on the Alzheimer's society website about anaesthetics. I'm not suggesting you're suffering from dementia but it does go into the effects of anaesthesia on the brain....I found it interesting although it doesn't really come up with any firm conclusions, but it does have a link to 'How to reduce your risk of dementia'
Your bypass should have improved your quality of life so on balance it should have been worth it.....don't you think?
Good luck
This doesn’t surprise me at all. If I was also a drinker then I wouldn’t be surprised if I could become a lot ‘foggier’ 🙃🙃
Sorry, I forgot to post the link (memory again).....here it is:-
I found bisoprolol slowed me down far too much just on 2.5 mg a day. They wanted me on 10 but not chance, 5mg meant I could barely get out of bed! Sotalol caused a terrible allergic reaction, and I was not keen to take a calcium channel blocker because of the dementia risk. There was another type but as I was in my 50s they said it can cause liver damage so they only prescribe it over a certain age. I cant remember the name but do check on these drugs and side effects online. I saw a new cardiologist who completely understood the problems caused by beta blockers and he suggested Quinedine, hospital prescription only as not licenced in the UK. Once on it and settled down I've had far less ICD shocks, my brain fog lifted in days, a huge relief to come off the bisoprolol, and I felt a lot better. However not without its effects, incl a dodgy tum daily so food and meds have to be well timed. I just dont do mornings out without much pre planning! What I can't figure out is the constant tiredness again, its wearing me down so much. Not sure if its meds or the heart as I was fine the first few weeks after my cardiac arrest, I had so much energy until put on beta blockers. I know everyone reacts differently and you may well be on beta blockers already but if you get one that suits you Id be inclined to stick with it unless you find a better option by research.
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