Certain medications have been either recalled or assigned a serious warning label due to their chance of increasing your risk of heart attack. There are certain antacid medications that are very popularly prescribed that might increase the risk of heart attack. Knowing more about these drugs and heart attack can help you to determine if you are having an issue. When it comes to an accident lawyer, Hudson Valley residents can get help if they have experienced an issue while taking certain drugs.

The Drugs You Should Know About

Prilosec, Prevacid and Nexium are the drugs that lawyers are looking at that might be associated with an increased risk of heart attack. Research shows that the increased risk might be as high as 20 percent. This is a figure that was concluded by research published in PLOS One. These drugs are commonly used to treat severe heartburn and associated conditions, such as ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux disease. They work by reducing your overall stomach acid.

What Happens During a Heart Attack

It is possible to experience a heart attack when the blood that is flowing to your heart is obstructed by a blockage of some sort. Blockages are typically associated with plaque and similar substances accumulating in your arteries. The problem with the blood flow can result in heart muscle damage. Symptoms might include:

  • Chest tightness and pain
  • Pain that can radiate to other areas, such as your back or jaw
  • Cold sweat
  • Sudden dizziness
  • Feeling lightheaded
  • Nausea or abdominal pain
  • Fatigue
  • Heartburn or indigestion

It is believed that antacid drugs might increase your risk by damaging a type of lining in your blood vessels that is there to help and prevent buildup. If buildup is not prevented, you are at an increased risk for a blockage and this blockage can result in a heart attack.

Potential Complications of a Heart Attack

A heart attack can cause a varying array of damage in your body. This damage can result in different complications that can impact your life for the long-term. These might include:

Heart failure is not uncommon after a heart attack when the damage is significant. When you are in heart failure, your heart finds it very difficult to get blood pumped throughout your body. Over time, this continues to damage the heart. This is temporary in some cases, but it can also lead to permanent health problems.

Valve problems are possible due to the damage associated with a heart attack. Valve leakage can result from the damage.

Abnormal heart rhythms are possible after a heart attack and can be a long-term issue. Certain abnormal rhythms can be fatal.

Heart rupture is a possible complication that is often fatal. It occurs as a result of the heart attack weakening the heart muscle so much that a hole is present, leading to a rupture.

As you can see, there are some popular antacid drugs that might increase heart attack risk. If you have taken these and experienced a heart attack, you might consider contacting an accident lawyer in Hudson Valley.