- 1. Tricyclic antidepressants
- 2. Anti-inflammatories
- 3. Contraceptives
- 4. Antipsychotics
- 5. Antineoplastics
- 6. Levodopa
There are several remedies that, although not used to treat heart problems, have an effect on the organ, which, over time, can cause changes that lead to heart disease.
Some of these remedies, such as antidepressants, anti-inflammatories and contraceptives, for example, are widely used and, therefore, it is advisable to only take this type of remedies with the guidance of a doctor, especially when it is necessary to use them for a long time. time.
1. Tricyclic antidepressants
This type of antidepressants is used especially in the most severe cases of depression, as they cause strong side effects that can affect the heart, causing an increase in heart rate, a drop in blood pressure when standing up, changes in the electrical functioning of the heart and can also make work difficult. ventricles.
However, when used properly and in controlled doses, these drugs have a low risk of heart problems and can be used after a rigorous medical evaluation.
Examples of tricyclic antidepressants: amitriptyline, clomipramine, desipramine, nortriptyline, desipramine, imipramine, doxepine, amoxapine or maprotiline.
2. Anti-inflammatories
Some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work by inhibiting renal prostaglandins, which can cause an accumulation of fluids in the body. Thus, the pressure on the heart increases and, if it is maintained for a long time, can cause dilation of the cardiac muscle, which can lead to heart failure, for example.
This effect can still be seen in some corticosteroid remedies, however, in this type of medication there are still other effects such as vision problems or weakening of the bones, and should only be used with the guidance of a doctor. Learn more about how corticosteroids affect the body.
Examples of anti-inflammatory drugs that affect the heart: phenylbutazone, indomethacin and some corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone.
3. Contraceptives
Estrogen-based contraceptives have always been linked to the development of cardiovascular problems, such as high blood pressure, heart attack or stroke, for example. However, with reduced doses, this risk is very low, being almost nil.
However, this type of contraceptive also increases the risk of venous thrombosis, especially in women who are over 35 years of age. Thus, the use of contraceptives must always be evaluated with the gynecologist to identify possible risk factors.
Examples of contraceptives that affect the heart: Diane 35, Selene, Cycle 21, Level, Microvlar, Soluna, Norestin, Minulet, Harmonet, Mercilon or Marvelon.
4. Antipsychotics
Antipsychotics are widely used to relieve symptoms of psychiatric problems, and there are several types, according to the problem that needs to be treated. Within this type, phenothiazine antipsychotics produce some side effects that can affect the heart, such as marked decrease in blood pressure and arrhythmias, in rarer cases.
In addition, phenothiazine antipsychotics may also be related to an increased risk of sudden death, and should therefore be used only with medical advice and under frequent evaluations.
Examples of phenothiazine antipsychotics that affect the heart: thioridazine, chlorpromazine, triflupromazine, levomepromazine, trifluoperazine or fluphenazine.
5. Antineoplastics
Antineoplastic agents are used in chemotherapy and, although they help to eliminate tumor cells, they also cause many side effects that affect the whole body. The most common effects on the heart include changes in cardiac muscle strength, arrhythmias, decreased blood pressure and changes in the electrical functioning of the heart, which can result in heart failure, for example.
Although they have all these effects, antineoplastic agents are generally necessary to save the patient's life and, therefore, they are used to fight cancer, even though they can cause other problems, which can also be treated later.
Examples of antineoplastics that affect the heart: doxorubicin, daunorubicin, fluorouracil, vincristine, vinblastine, cyclophosphamide or mitoxantrone.
6. Levodopa
Levodopa is one of the most widely used drugs in the treatment of Parkinson's cases, however, it can cause major cardiac changes such as arrhythmias or marked decrease in blood pressure when standing up, for example.
Therefore, people undergoing treatment with this medicine should have regular consultations with the neurologist and cardiologist to assess the effects of Levodopa on the body.
