Study: Heartburn Medication Can Increase Heart Attack Risk
HOUSTON, Texas (CBS4)- Researchers say a new study shows a clear link between some widely used heartburn medicines and heart attack risk.
"It progressively got worse to the point where one day I felt a lot of discomfort in my chest and eventually went up into my neck," said heartburn sufferer Peter Leehy.
A new study from Houston Methodist Hospital shows people who take proton pump inhibitors or PPIs, may be more likely to have a heart attack.
The drugs with brand names such as PrevAcid, Prilosec and Nexium are used to treat GERD and other gastrointestinal problems.
"Proton pump inhibitors increase the risk of heart attack in the general population by about 15 to 20 percent," said Dr. John Cooke with Houston Methodist Research Institute.
Previous studies show PPIs can affect the Teflon-like lining of blood vessels.
"If you are taking these medications I wouldn't panic but I would reassess whether you really need to be on it or if you can taper off or have it replace with a different type of drug," said Dr. Arun Swaminath with Lenox Hill Hospital.
Researchers found antacids called H2 blockers did not have heart risk, like Pepcid and Zantac.
Researchers stress that PPIs can be useful when used in the short term.