Researchers evaluate longer-use timespan to get fuller picture risk of heart disease associated with ADHD medications
A new study published this week by JAMA Psychiatry sought to explore the link between long-term use of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medication and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Over the last 20 years, the use of ADHD medications has greatly increased, but little information is available about the potential long-term risk of CVD related to usage of these medications.
Researchers conducted a case-control study of patients with ADHD and an incident CVD diagnosis, such as ischemic heart diseases, hypertension, heart failure, arrhythmias, or other forms of heart disease. The cumulative duration of ADHD medication use was up to 14 years. This is a much longer duration use time period than previous studies.
The findings proved to be statistically significant, and serve as a reminder that clinical treatment decisions need to be made at the patient level and always weigh the benefits versus the risks.
Read more here.
