New studies from MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center in California underscore the importance of timely and accurate cardiovascular monitoring. This is critical news for people taking medications for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Dr. Cheng-Han Chen, an interventional cardiologist, led the study that verifies the only significant increases in blood pressure, pulse, and electrocardiogram (ECG) readings in users of ADHD stimulants. Even with these promising findings, routine screenings remain important.
Together, the findings show that people taking prescribed stimulants for ADHD suffer mild but statistically significant increases in blood pressure and pulse rate. More importantly, the study revealed that these medications can increase ECG values too. Dr. Chen’s research highlights the importance for clinicians to follow the clinical guidelines that are already in place on the need to monitor patients.
Importance of Screening
As ADHD medications are still commonly prescribed, more research needs to be done on their cardiovascular implications. The authors conclude that women using this treatment should be regularly screened for cardiovascular risk factors at baseline and throughout treatment.
“If anything, it reinforces… that mental health practitioners or psychiatrists should continue to closely follow the current clinical guidelines, which include monitoring of the blood pressure and the pulse before and during the treatment with ADHD medications,” – Singh
Insights into Alpha Agonists
Unlike stimulants, the study looked at alpha agonists prescribed for ADHD. Results show that these drugs led to reduced heart rate and blood pressure readings in users. This presents a great new option for patients. They can step forward knowing that they have addressed their concerns about potential cardiovascular effects associated with traditional stimulant medications.
The opposing effects of these two classes of ADHD medications underscores the value of personalized treatment approaches. Clinicians should think about many factors when prescribing ADHD drugs, taking into account a patient’s unique health profile, including their medical history.
Historical Context and Limitations
This new study expands on the research conducted back in 2019. That study resulted in the conclusion of fewer injuries and a decreased rate of substance use disorder in those treated with ADHD medication. That analysis had limitations that required careful interpretation of its findings.
“However, when you are contemplating [the] use of these medications in a medical setting, we have to at least allow some level of confidence to be placed in the fact that, given that a treatment intervention is being suggested as a medical treatment, there would be an appropriate process of evaluating and monitoring for side effects,” – Pliszka
This new lens rightly focuses on all the benefits that come with ADHD treatments. We need to pay close attention to their unintended consequences before hitting the green light.
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