Episode
High Use of Anticholinergic Drugs Linked to Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk
- Published
- May 14, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 371
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Summary
Common medications with anticholinergic effects — including certain allergy drugs, sleep aids, and antidepressants — interfere with acetylcholine, a chemical your nervous system uses to regulate heart rhythm, blood pressure, and other automatic body functions A large study following 508,273 adults for about 14 years found that higher use of these medications was linked to significantly greater risk of cardiovascular problems such as heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks, and strokes Researchers observed a clear dose-response pattern: the more frequently these medications were used, the higher the risk of heart disease, with the highest exposure group showing roughly a 71% increase in cardiovascular events A separate long-term study tracking 21,636 adults found that people taking several anticholinergic medications had increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and significantly higher death rates compared with those who took none Reducing reliance on anticholinergic medications and supporting metabolic health may help lower the drug burden on your heart and nervous system; further research is needed to confirm whether these lifestyle changes directly reduce cardiovascular risk