I mention the below, because prescription-strength Aleve is one reason that I had to take my father to the Emergency Room today. His blood pressure skyrocketed, due to water retention, including water retention around the heart.
"Painkillers Worsen Heart Failure
Even Short-Term Ibuprofen, Naproxen May Put Heart Patients in Hospital
By Daniel J. DeNoon WebMD Medical NewsReviewed by Louise Chang, MDMay 22, 2006 -- Common painkillers raise the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization in people over 60, a new study shows.
The risk is even greater for those who already have heart failure. And even very short-term painkiller use can be dangerous, the study finds -- especially for people taking blood-pressure-lowering medications.
The drugs are known as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs. Those implicated in the study are:
Indocin tripled the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization.
Naproxen (brand names include Aleve and Naprosyn) doubled the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization.
Ibuprofen (brand names include Advil and Motrin) increased the risk of heart failure-related hospitalization by 43%.
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For people taking blood pressure drugs -- diuretics (water pills), ACE inhibitors, or beta-blockers -- there's an even greater risk. Even short-term use of NSAIDs boosts heart failure-related hospitalizations in these patients, the Huerta study shows.
Smith says the problem isn't that NSAIDs are directly toxic to the heart. But because of the way they work, they counteract the effects of blood pressure drugs. In patients whose lives depend on these drugs, the effects can be severe -- and sudden."
My dad had to spend a three days in the hospital heart care unit, but they managed to get the excess fluid out of his system.
If not for the fact that he regularly takes his blood pressure, the first "symptom" of the sudden water retention would have been a stroke or heart attack.
The incident also makes me think about how scary it must be to live in a rural area, when you have an emergency health problem. Not everyone is lucky enough to live just a few minutes away from a hospital filled with heart care specialists.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Sheltieguy,
Posts: 2227 | Location: A Blue State | Registered: May 02, 2004
I'm going to show age now, but in the most recent copy of the AARP magazine, they highly recommended that you start or keep a medical journal for yourself. Marking down every medication that you take, whether it's prescribed or OTC. Marking down your exercise routines, your eating habits, foods that you found bothered you. Medications that you found bothered you, accidents, mishaps, questions you have about your health; a family history. Take this to your doc's appt's and when you travel take it with you "just in case" Let your family know where it is, and if you are the primary care taker for anyone, have a book for them also. It can be as easy as a spiral notebook.
I do take pain killers for my arthritis, Ibprofen at 1600 mgs and I are good friends. I've been given Aleve, but the side effects were more than I wanted to worry about or deal with. I try not to make it an every day occurence for the IB, but there are weeks that I have to. I make myself aware of the medications that my docs are prescribing, and their effects, no one can know too much or no one can know everything about every drug out there. You have to be your own best PR person when you are talking health.
Take the opportunity to change one thing about yourself once a day be it large or small. Trying doesn't get anything done.
Posts: 3403 | Location: Central USA | Registered: March 11, 2004
Best wishes to your Dad and the whole family, Sheltie. Though any time is sucky for a loved one to be dealing with a health issue, the holidays are an especially sucky time.
Goals for March: 1. Get some art up on the walls. 2. Do at least 1 day of intentional exercise a week (to start).
Posts: 7025 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
