HEART PROBLEMS WITH BONE DRUG
ANCHOR LEAD: A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO TAKE ONE KIND OF MEDICATION FOR OSTEOPOROSIS MAY EXPERIENCE A HEART PROBLEM, ELIZABETH TRACEY REPORTS
Atrial fibrillation occurs whenthe top chambers of the heart fail to contract properly, causing a fluttering sensation in the chest. Now a new study points to a common medication for osteoporosis called a bisphosphonate as one potential cause. Michelle Bellantoni, a geriatrics expert at Johns Hopkins, says careful assessment and management is key.
BELLANTONI: I will tell you I have given the drug to women with atrial fibrillation. I have done so making sure that their vitamin D stores are normal and that they’ve had adequate calcium, because I do believe that there is a way to prevent that but it requires attention. And it’s a known risk, but the individuals whom I’ve treated have had very severe osteoporosis and did not tolerate oral therapies. :23
With proper management, atrial fibrillation doesn’t necessarily pose a problem, and these medications for osteoporosis are known to be very effective. I’m Elizabeth Tracey reporting.
