To be scared to take ADHD meds

[Harry12345]

Hi, I am in my 40s with adhd, I am considering medication however sacred of side effects in relation to my heart. I read that people taking adhd meds are“ 17% more likely to have cardiomyopathy at one year and 57% more likely to have cardiomyopathy at eight years compared with those who were not taking these medications” . I’m really struggling with my workload and would love to take meds if they helped but I am scared as I have a family history of heart issues and I already have anxiety and get palpitations. Any advice would be great.

Your heart issues should have been taken into account when you were prescribed the meds. Talk to the doctor who prescribed them about your concerns. There are various medication options available, as well as therapies if a particular medication is unsuitable for you.

As PP said, talk to your doctor about your own personal circumstances. No one on here can advise you either way.

Thank you, just wondering if anyone else has anxiety around it or any bad side effects

There is actually some evidence that people on stimulants have fewer heart attacks than people who aren't (it's misleading because if you have anything dodgy going on with your heart you'll be taken off them - so it's self-selecting).

I was given an ECG before I was prescribed them for the first time. Did this not happen for you? Or have you not spoken to a doctor about medication yet?

I have occasionally experienced palpitations, years before I ever took ADHD medication. I don't think I have had any since starting it.

There are non-stimulant medications. But honestly the medication is not very strong. Do you drink caffeine or smoke or drink alcohol or carry excess weight? Those things are probably more dangerous for your heart, and so is stress (which the medication should reduce, if it's right for you).

If you have a history of cardiac issues, the doctor would typically want sign-off from a cardiologist/clear ECG before prescribing, in my experience anyway.

It might be that they decide stimulants are too risky altogether for you, but there are also non-stimulant ADHD medications that might be more suitable.

My DD has historical cardiac issues but was prescribed them after sign-off from her cardiologist and regular monitoring, so cardiac history won't definitely prevent you from trying the meds - it just might require a few extra steps. As PPs have said, though, it depends on what your dr advises for you specifically.

Which medication have you been prescribed?

Aside from discussing the issue with a medical professional it is also important to make a distinction between relative and absolute risks. While 57% might sound as loads, if the actual risk of cardiomyopathy in a general population is 1%, a 57% increase is still well below 2% risk.

Where did you get those stats from please?

I'm also 40s and am starting Elvanse next week. I had to get an ECG before they'd prescribe it as I have a family history of atrial fibrillation.

I take adhd meds and since taking them my bp has dropped to a normal level when I had been on meds for years so now less chance of me having a heart attack or stroke since i went on them.

I love my meds and I'm far less anxious on them. They keep an eye on your blood pressure and wouldn't prescribe them is there was a cardiac risk to you. Try them one day at a time. You can stop them if they don't suit you. You have complete autonomy over taking them or not.

It's different for everyone, my heart rate is absolutely higher but my blood pressure is lower because I'm alot less stressed and overwhelmed, however both my daughter and my cousin have had to stop medication, my daughter didn't like the fact she could feel her heart rate (she also has asd so more sensory related) and my cousin actually developed tachycardia.

Thank you, I’ve got mega health anxiety especially with heart issues as my dad had a stroke when he was young so it’s probably not going to be good for me. I’m sure I have asd too and think that’s where my anxiety comes from

But stroke and heart disease are slightly separate issues...
Obviously, it is entirely up to you whether you want to take meds or not, but I would imagine the prescriber does all the necessary checks to make sure they are safe for you.