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Inhaled medicines used to treat a respiratory condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may increase the likelihood of heart attacks and strokes. Who is at risk?
Homocysteine is thought to be a bad actor, increasing the chances of heart disease. Folic acid and other B vitamins can lower homocysteine. How well do they work to protect the heart?
Explore the stories behind the health headlines.
Guests: Sonal Singh, MD, MPH, assistant professor of internal medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine
Christopher Gardner, PhD, Director of Nutrition Studies at the Stanford Prevention Research Center at Stanford University
I have been using Atrovent and Advair Discus for 5 years. I was not at risk for heart disease..no family history..great stats for chlolesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, and glucose. Not only did I have a heart attack last year, but I have developed full blown osteoporosis in both hips. The good part...I have not had to resort to oxygen..but I wonder if the price has been too high.
I was diagnosed with mild COPD in about 2002. My holistic Doctor put me on an inhalation regimen of taking 2ml glutathione with 2.5ml saline in a nebulizer. My condition has not worsened and seems to have improved. The next time I saw a pulmonologisst she declared me "low-normal" not COPD.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE:
This is something we do not know about. It should be checked with a pulmonologist for safety!
I was taking several inhalers for COPD, then i was put on advair and my symptoms got worse immediately, my dr. said she didn't think that was the cause. I went back to my old meds and improved. You be the judge
My pulmonologist encouraged me to use Spiriva instead of Albuteral. When I used the Spiriva, my entire chest had a burning sensation. I did not use it again. Is Albuteral in the group of medicines that can cause heart attacks and strokes?
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY REPLY:
The concerns that have been raised regarding cardio-vascular risks associated with Spiriva should not apply to albuterol. This asthma inhaler (bronchodilator) can cause palpitations and irregular heart rhythms, but most people tolerate this asthma medicine quite well.