ADHD drugs pose no increased heart risk

An analysis found no evidence of increased heart attack risk among 150,000 attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder drug users, U.S. researchers said. Laurel A. Habel of Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland and colleagues examined whether medications used primarily to treat ADHD are associated with an increased risk of heart attack, sudden cardiac death or stroke in adults ages 25-64. Placebo-controlled studies in children and adults indicate stimulants and atomoxetine -- a medication used to treat ADHD -- elevate systolic blood pressure levels and lead to increases in heart rate that might increase heart attack risk, sudden cardiac death and stroke, Habel said. The researchers used computerized health records from four study sites, starting in 1986 at one site and ending in 2005 at all sites, with an additional assessment using 2007 survey data. During follow-up, there were 1,357 cases of heart attacks, 296 cases of sudden cardiac death and 575 cases of stroke. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found current or new use of ADHD medications, compared with non-use or remote use, was not associated with an increased risk of serious cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, sudden cardiac death or stroke. "We also found little support for an increased risk for any specific medication or with longer duration of current use," the study authors said in a statement.