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Mint
6 days ago
- Health
- Mint
7 common medicines that may secretly harm your heart health, reveals heart surgeon
Your heart works tirelessly, beating over 100,000 times a day to keep you alive, yet it is often taken for granted. With rising stress, sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep, heart problems are becoming more common than ever, even among younger people. While many are aware that smoking, high cholesterol, and lack of exercise can hurt heart health, few realize that certain everyday medicines might be quietly adding to the risk. From pills we pop for a headache or cold to drugs for chronic conditions, some of them could strain the heart in unexpected ways. Yes, there are a few common medications that, when misused or taken long-term, may actually do your heart more harm than good. Here are some common medicines that may take a toll on your heart, leading to serious complications like high blood pressure, heart attack, heart failure, and even stroke: Over-the-counter pain relievers like Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, and Nimesulide are widely used medicines for treating pain, fever, and inflammation. But what many people do not realize is that these drugs can quietly affect your heart health. "Long-term or high-dose use of NSAIDs can lead to high blood pressure, fluid retention, and increase the risk of heart attack or stroke, especially in those with existing heart issues," warns Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Senior Consultant Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospitals. A study published in the British Medical Journal found that taking NSAIDs, even for just a week, can significantly raise your risk of a heart attack. To deal with seasonal cold and flu, decongestants like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are commonly used. However, they may do more than good. "Decongestants can constrict blood vessels, leading to an increase in heart rate and blood pressure," explains Dr Swarup. For individuals with hypertension or pre-existing cardiac conditions, this can be dangerous. The Annals of Emergency Medicine reports that these drugs can overstimulate the cardiovascular system, increasing the risk of heart attack or other complications. While antidepressants can help improve mental health, some types, especially tricyclic antidepressants like Amitriptyline or SSRIs like Fluoxetine, can potentially affect your heart rhythm. "These drugs may increase heart rate and, in people with structural heart disease or arrhythmias, lead to palpitations or irregular heartbeats," says Dr Swarup. If you have any known heart issues, it is important to discuss potential side effects with your psychiatrist or cardiologist before starting or changing antidepressant medication. Some medications used to manage type 2 diabetes, such as Pioglitazone, are known to cause fluid retention. In some cases, this can lead to heart failure. It is particularly risky in people who already have any heart health problems. If you are on anti-diabetic medication, make sure your doctor keeps a close watch on your heart health. Antibiotics like Azithromycin and Clarithromycin are often prescribed for respiratory or bacterial infections. However, they can interfere with your heart's electrical activity. "These drugs can lead to arrhythmias, especially when taken alongside other heart-sensitive medicines," notes Dr Swarup. They are not dangerous for everyone, but in people with heart conditions or those taking multiple medications, the combination could be risky. Corticosteroids, often referred to simply as steroids, are commonly prescribed for asthma, arthritis, and allergic conditions because of their anti-inflammatory properties. But they can come with serious cardiovascular side effects. According to a study in the Canadian Respiratory Journal, oral corticosteroids were linked to a higher risk of high blood pressure and acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Why? These drugs can cause the body to retain sodium and fluid, leading to increased pressure in blood vessels and added strain on the heart.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cause of death released for Redwood City inmate Kyle Harrison
(KRON) — A Redwood City street racer died in jail earlier this year shortly after he was sentenced for his role in causing a crash that left twin girls orphaned. On Monday, the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office released Kyle V. Harrison's cause of death. The county coroner's office determined that Harrison died on March 15 at Maple Street Correctional Facility in Redwood City 'due to toxic effects of three medications,' the sheriff's office wrote. The coroner concluded that the 25-year-old inmate's manner of death was an 'accident' and found Harrison died due to toxic effects of Methadone, Amitriptyline, and Gabapentin. Harrison previously pleaded no contest to engaging in a speed contest and felony vehicular manslaughter for the deaths of Grace Spiridon, and her husband, Gregory Ammen. The couple's 7-year-old daughters 'miraculously' survived the crash on El Camino Real, prosecutors said. In February, Harrison was sentenced to serve eight years in state prison. Court records show that Harrison was slated to be transported from the county jail to a state prison facility in May, but he died in jail before he was transferred. Investigators did not say why Harrison was taking Methadone, a medication typically used to treat opioid use disorder. Amitriptyline is an antidepressant medication. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsive medication that's also used to treat certain types of neural pain. The street race happened on Nov. 4, 2022 in Redwood City. Harrison raced his BMW against a teenager, Cesar Salto Morales, who was driving a Mercedes Benz on El Camino Real. Morales' Mercedes slammed into a Chevrolet Bolt with Spiridon, Ammen, and their two young daughters inside. The parents were killed on impact, while their daughters survived in the backseat. The family was less than 10 minutes away from their San Carlos home. Prosecutors said Harrison fled the scene, and a witness recorded his BMW's license plate number with her cellphone as he was driving away. Police found and arrested Harrison weeks later. After his in-custody death, the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office and San Mateo County Coroner's Office conducted independent investigations into Harrison's cause and manner of death. The DA's investigation is still underway. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Yahoo
Police object to shop's alcohol licence request
Police have objected to a shop's application for a licence to sell alcohol, as it was previously found to be selling prescription drugs, counterfeit cigarettes and illegal vapes. Mario's Mini Market, also known as Britannia Inn Shop, on Lindley Street in Rotherham, has applied to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol seven days a week. South Yorkshire Police requested that the licence be refused, citing the applicant's previous involvement in unlicensed activity, and raised fears that granting the licence could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour. The applicant has outlined a number of measures to prevent anti-social behaviour and promote responsible alcohol sales. A statement was also submitted from the council's community protection and environmental health manager, which details ongoing concerns regarding the premises. The statement outlines a history of anti-social behaviour linked to the shop, including noise complaints, street drinking and gatherings of large groups. It also highlights multiple enforcement actions, including a closure order issued in December 2024. The authority has expressed its lack of confidence in the applicant's ability to comply with licensing regulations. The closure order followed a raid in November 2024, which uncovered illicit prescription medications, including Tramadol, Diazepam and Amitriptyline, as well as counterfeit cigarettes and clothing, and illegal vapes. The premises also posed serious health risks, with evidence of a cockroach infestation and violations of food safety regulations, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Inspectors discovered food products stored in unsanitary conditions, including in bathrooms and behind counters, while other items were found to be out of date and improperly labelled. The shop was found to be storing fireworks illegally, and selling them without the proper licence required by the South Yorkshire fire service. The fireworks seized were deemed to be unsafe and unfit for sale under UK regulations. On 18 December 2024, Sheffield Magistrates' Court granted a closure order, following the presentation of evidence detailing a series of incidents that included illegal sales and public nuisance caused by gatherings outside the shop. The following day, officers attended the premises to enforce the closure. During this visit, a further 720 illicit cigarettes, worth approximately £520, were discovered concealed in the ceiling of the shop. After the closure, the premises remained secured until 21 March, when the grills were removed and the premises was allowed to reopen. To ensure compliance with licensing laws, the applicant plans to implement a comprehensive staff training programme covering the Challenge 25 scheme, alcohol refusal protocols and emergency procedures. Additionally, a detailed incident log would be maintained, and a high-quality CCTV system would be installed to monitor public areas. The applicant has committed to keeping the shop clean and maintaining contact with local residents to address any concerns. The council's licensing sub-committee will consider the application during its next meeting on 7 May. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Rotherham Council LDRS
BBC News
04-05-2025
- BBC News
Police object to Rotherham shop's alcohol licence request
Police have objected to a shop's application for a licence to sell alcohol, as it was previously found to be selling prescription drugs, counterfeit cigarettes and illegal Mini Market, also known as Britannia Inn Shop, on Lindley Street in Rotherham, has applied to Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council for a licence to sell alcohol seven days a week. South Yorkshire Police requested that the licence be refused, citing the applicant's previous involvement in unlicensed activity, and raised fears that granting the licence could lead to an increase in anti-social applicant has outlined a number of measures to prevent anti-social behaviour and promote responsible alcohol sales. A statement was also submitted from the council's community protection and environmental health manager, which details ongoing concerns regarding the statement outlines a history of anti-social behaviour linked to the shop, including noise complaints, street drinking and gatherings of large groups. It also highlights multiple enforcement actions, including a closure order issued in December authority has expressed its lack of confidence in the applicant's ability to comply with licensing regulations. 'Health risks' The closure order followed a raid in November 2024, which uncovered illicit prescription medications, including Tramadol, Diazepam and Amitriptyline, as well as counterfeit cigarettes and clothing, and illegal premises also posed serious health risks, with evidence of a cockroach infestation and violations of food safety regulations, the Local Democracy Reporting Service discovered food products stored in unsanitary conditions, including in bathrooms and behind counters, while other items were found to be out of date and improperly shop was found to be storing fireworks illegally, and selling them without the proper licence required by the South Yorkshire fire service. The fireworks seized were deemed to be unsafe and unfit for sale under UK 18 December 2024, Sheffield Magistrates' Court granted a closure order, following the presentation of evidence detailing a series of incidents that included illegal sales and public nuisance caused by gatherings outside the following day, officers attended the premises to enforce the closure. During this visit, a further 720 illicit cigarettes, worth approximately £520, were discovered concealed in the ceiling of the the closure, the premises remained secured until 21 March, when the grills were removed and the premises was allowed to ensure compliance with licensing laws, the applicant plans to implement a comprehensive staff training programme covering the Challenge 25 scheme, alcohol refusal protocols and emergency a detailed incident log would be maintained, and a high-quality CCTV system would be installed to monitor public areas. The applicant has committed to keeping the shop clean and maintaining contact with local residents to address any council's licensing sub-committee will consider the application during its next meeting on 7 May. Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North
