Celexa and Heart Disease – Part 2

Interestingly, researchers have also found that 20 percent of people with severe heart disease suffer from major depression and that depression can worsen the outcomes of cardiovascular illness. This finding isn’t surprising since a negative mental attitude has been shown to have negative effects on physical health.

One of the precursors to heart disease is high blood pressure. Unfortunately, Celexa has been found to cause high blood pressure in some patients and low blood pressure in others. In most cases, low blood pressure is less of a problem than high blood pressure.

Long-term blood pressure has been linked to stroke, heart attacks and congestive heart failure. So, while Celexa and heart disease aren’t specifically linked, it is linked to one of the precursors of heart disease, high blood pressure.

While Celexa does have it’s own list of side-effects many of them aren’t related to heart health. It is important to discuss your concerns with your doctor and to learn of all of the side-effects and possible problems that can happen when you take any medication. Celexa, and any of the SSRI medications, have a severe interaction with MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) medications and patients who have been or will be taking MAOI drugs should allow two weeks between taking each of the drugs.

Resources:

US Food and Drug Administration: Abnormal heart rhythms associated with high doses of Celexa

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm269086.htm

US Food and Drug Administration: Revised Recommendations Celexa RElated to a Potential Abnormal Heart Rhythms with High Doses

http://www.fda.gov/drugs/drugsafety/ucm297391.htm

Mercola: Best-Selling Drug Attacks your Heart, Brain and Bones

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/04/14/antidepressants-cause-heart-disease.aspx

American Academy of Family Practitioners: FDA Clarifies Citalopram Warning Linked to Heart Rhythm Abnormalities

http://www.aafp.org/news-now/health-of-the-public/20120329citalopramupdate.html

NHS: Antidepressants Citalopram Heart Safety Warning

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2012/07July/Pages/antidepressant-citalopram-qt-heart-rhythm-safety-warning.aspx

PsychCentral: Celexa Linked to Heart Damage at High Doses