Five Everyday Drugs That Could Negatively Impact on the Heart By Dr. Kamal Gupta, MBBS, MD (Medicine), DM (Cardiology), Additional Director, Fortis Hospital, Faridabad. As a cardiologist treating thousands of heart patients, I often see people unknowingly putting their hearts at risk with medications they take every day. While these drugs are helpful for their intended purposes, they can silently harm the heart—especially when used long-term or in combination with existing heart conditions. In this article, I reveal five common over-the-counter and prescription drugs that can negatively affect your heart, backed by clinical evidence and real-world observations from my practice. 1. Ibuprofen and Other NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) Common brands: Brufen, Combiflam, Voveran, Hari patti wali goli How they harm the heart: Increase blood pressure by causing fluid retention and constricting blood vessels. Double the risk of heart attack and stroke, especially with high doses or prolonged use (>30 days). The FDA has issued a black-box warning for cardiovascular risk with all NSAIDs except aspirin. Safer alternatives: Paracetamol (Crocin), Aspirin, topical gels, physiotherapy. 2. Decongestants (Pseudoephedrine, Phenylephrine) Found in: Sinarest, D’Cold Total, nasal sprays like Otrivin Heart risks: Cause sudden spike in blood pressure and heart rate. Can trigger arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) in susceptible individuals. Dangerous for patients with uncontrolled hypertension or coronary artery disease. Pro tip: If you have heart disease, avoid oral decongestants completely. Use saline nasal sprays or steam inhalation instead. 3. Certain Cough Syrups Containing Dextromethorphan + Chlorpheniramine Common brands: Corex, Phensedyl, Tuscold, Alex Hidden danger: Chlorpheniramine (antihistamine) can cause QT prolongation → life-threatening arrhythmia called Torsades de Pointes. High doses (abuse) can lead to sudden cardiac arrest. I’ve admitted multiple young patients in cardiac ICU with palpitations after binge-consuming cough syrups. 4. Weight-Loss and “Herbal” Supplements (Containing Sibutramine, Ephedrine, Caffeine anhydrate) Found in: Herbalife shakes, Leptaden, Slimex, Slimming capsules Cardiac threats: Sibutramine (banned in India since 2010) increases heart rate and blood pressure → 16% higher risk of heart attack. Ephedrine-like compounds cause coronary artery spasm and sudden death. Warning: Just because it says “herbal” or “ayurvedic” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many contain hidden stimulants. 5. Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) – Long-term use Common drugs: Pantop-D, Rabicip-DSR, Omez-D, Pan-D Surprising heart connection: Long-term use (>1 year) associated with 20–50% higher risk of heart attack (JAMA 2015, PLOS One 2016 studies). Mechanism: Reduces nitric oxide in blood vessels + magnesium deficiency → endothelial dysfunction. Also increases risk of arrhythmias due to low magnesium. My advice: Use PPIs only when truly needed (e.g., ulcers, severe GERD). Switch to H2 blockers (Rantac) or lifestyle changes for mild acidity. Key Takeaways for Heart Safety 1.Never self-medicate — even with “safe” OTC drugs. 2.Always inform your doctor about all medicines and supplements you take. 3.If you have heart disease, hypertension, or stents, avoid NSAIDs and decongestants completely. 4.Read labels carefully — combination drugs (like Combiflam, Sinarest) are the biggest culprits. 5.Regular heart check-ups (BP, ECG, Echo) if you’re on long-term medications. Your heart works 24×7 for you—don’t let a small tablet undo its efforts.