Inhalers: They dramatically increase the risk of fatal heart attack
Inhalers for lung problems such as emphysema and bronchitis can dramatically increase the risk of heart attack and death, a new study has found.
Two of the drugs – ipratropium bromide and tiotropium bromide – can nearly double the risk of death from heart attack.
Researchers discovered the risk after they examined 17 trials into the drugs that involved 14,783 patients.
They also discovered that patients who took the drugs for six months or longer also increased their chances of suffering from a stroke.
(Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, 2008; 300: 1439-50).