CNN
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A recently published study in JAMA Psychiatry suggests that long-term use of ADHD medications can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in both children and adults. Although experts emphasize that the benefits of treatment often outweigh the risks, they emphasize the importance of carefully considering and monitoring heart health when making individual treatment decisions.
Researchers in Sweden conducted a study on thousands of individuals with ADHD over an average of four years, finding that those taking ADHD medications had a higher risk of hypertension and arterial disease, with the risk increasing over time.
The study also revealed that each additional year of ADHD medication use raised the risk of heart disease by an average of 4%, stabilizing after the first three years of treatment. However, the overall risk of heart disease for those using ADHD medication for more than five years was still lower than previously reported findings.
Earlier research has shown that adults with ADHD have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease overall, and stimulants commonly used to treat ADHD are known to elevate blood pressure as they stimulate the nervous system.
Although heart disease is rare in children, pediatricians often manage younger ADHD patients without the involvement of a cardiologist. However, adults with underlying risk factors may require a more cautious approach to ADHD medication use.
