When I first read this headline, I thought they were talking about inhalers traditionally used to treat asthma, which is something I have to use occasionally when my asthma flares up - it’s the Albuterol inhaler that I use when I need it only.  However, apparently the only medications that are being studied as having a possible link to heart attack risk and even an increased risk of death as well as a possible link to increased risk of stroke, are the lung related inhalers that patients with emphysema and something called COPD, which is a chronic bronchial disorder where patients have a hard time relaxing and opening their bronchial tubes to breathe correctly.

Because of the findings that these types of lung inhalers, which are designed to not only relax the airways, but open them so the oxygen can flow through easily, researchers are urging doctors who prescribe these medications to keep a close watch on those patients for any heart related troubles.  It’s not enough to discourage doctors from prescribing these types of bronchial pathway relaxing drugs to patients that need them since these drugs do provide substantial relief to patients who cannot breathe ( which believe me is not fun when you can’t breathe ).

I remember, years and years ago there were fears that asthma inhalers may cause or potentially lead to heart palpitations and potentially heart attacks in some, especially with predispositions to the problem to begin  with, and this was further compounded when a popular model’s sister died after it was suspected she overused her asthma inhaler.

As far as my albuterol inhaler for asthma, I use caution and make sure I only use it when I absolutely need to and am struggling for air, or if I simply can’t catch my breath after some sort of rigorous activity.  I do notice that when I use it, my heart races for at least a few minutes after I take the inhaler in my mouth, so that to me is not a good sign. Anything that instantly speeds the heart rate like that I think should be used with extreme caution and respect for what it can do. 

This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 9:19 pm and is filed under Alternative & Herbal Health News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.