In many cases, and for many people, antibiotics are a wonderful thing. They are able to work toward stopping infections that can be caused by bacteria, and the category of antibiotics as a whole deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the improvement of overall human health in recent generations. However, as with anything, there are pros and cons to be considered with their use. Here, we are going to talk a bit about how antibiotics may impact your heart, and how you should approach this issue.
Potentially Increased Risk of Heart Attack
Some studies have shown that taking antibiotics for an extended period of time can increase the risk of having a heart attack. The correlation here isn’t completely known, but there have been studies linking these two. Obviously, a heart attack is one of the most serious health events that a person can face, so anything with the potential to elevate the risk of a cardiovascular event should be evaluated very closely.
Plenty to Gain
The challenge when discussing antibiotics and heart health is the fact that antibiotics have so much good to offer countless patients. When used correctly, it’s not an exaggeration to say that antibiotics can save lives – and they do so regularly. So, this is not a case that’s as simple as saying antibiotics may elevate heart health risks, so you shouldn’t use them at all. Rather, it’s all about weighing the risks and benefits, and applying critical thinking to the needs of the specific patient. In other words, what is right for you and your health might not be right for another individual – even if their symptoms are similar.
Proper Application
It is likely the case that antibiotics are prescribed too frequently overall. When antibiotics are used and not needed, the body can actually become resistant to the drug – making it less effective, or not effective at all, in the future. So, if a more serious health event comes later, and the antibiotic prescribed is no longer effective, the individual may be in mortal danger.
The key is for doctors to practice good medicine in dealing with patients on an individual basis. This is certainly true as it relates back to heart health and antibiotics. For an individual without certain risk factors in place, an antibiotic prescription will likely be a good option and may not pose much of a threat at all in terms of heart health. However, for another patient with heart problems or other risk factors present, the potential benefit of the antibiotic may not be enough to justify the risk. And, if the antibiotic is used, managing the duration of the prescription could be important to keep risk down and get the best of both worlds.
Building a Relationship
As you can see, things are complicated in the world of antibiotics. This is why it’s important to work closely with your healthcare provider to develop a plan for your needs. Getting to know your doctor – and allowing your doctor to get to know you and your health – can lead to better outcomes and more trust across the board. Everyone has the same goal, which is to lead you to the best possible health outcomes moving forward. With a lasting relationship and open lines of communication, that outcome will be more likely to occur.
Ready to Serve You
If you are looking for a cardiologist to provide you with the care needed for your heart health, Beverly Hills Cardiovascular would be proud to assist. We offer a long list of services, and our staff is led by Dr. David Filsoof. Our team is friendly, professional, and always happy to welcome you to the office for your appointments. Some of the many services available here include stress echocardiography, nuclear stress test, and carotid ultrasound. Feel free to get in touch right away to get started!
