Will Tylenol Help Prevent a Heart Attack?
Painkillers have been used in a variety of situations, including treating chest pain caused by a heart attack (it doesn't help), and Tylenol is one of the most popular options in the United States. But some studies have shown that Tylenol, also known as acetaminophen, can actually increase the risk of heart attack.
Unfortunately, the truth is that Tylenol will do nothing to prevent or treat a heart attack. The same goes for most NSAIDs (a class of painkillers that include ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib), which can potentially increase the risk of heart attack – and that's a big problem in a country with a heart disease epidemic.
“This increase in risk affects people who already have heart disease and those who do not. However, the risk is greater in people who have heart disease,” saysRekha Mankad, MD
This means that people who are at risk for heart disease or who have had a heart attack should avoid not only Tylenol, but also ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and Celebrex.
Will Tylenol Stop Heart Attack Pain?
So is it safe to take Tylenol during a heart attack? Although Tylenol is safer than NSAIDs, it probably won't significantly reduce the pain of a heart attack, and it certainly won't solve the problem. Ideally this should be avoided if alternatives are available. Ideal alternatives are aspirin or nitroglycerin (Nitro is only available by prescription), but more below.
During a heart attack, you will probably feel pain (although not always). Familiarize yourself with the symptomsher) and may want to use Tylenol or acetaminophen.
Although taking Tylenol can reduce the pain of a heart attack, you should avoid taking it due to its harmful cardiovascular effects. Take an aspirin or other non-NSAID pain reliever you have on hand, or nothing at all.
If you are having a heart attack, your first step should be to call 911 and get an ambulance on the way. If you do not have aspirin or nitroglycerin, the best thing to do is to remain calm, sit or lie in the most comfortable position for you or the patient, and wait for emergency services to arrive and begin treating you.
If you think you really need Tylenol, take the smallest dose possible to minimize the risk.
Why No Tylenol After a Heart Attack?
How does Tylenol increase the risk of heart attack? Well, there are different levels of substances in your blood that can put you at greater risk of developing a blood clot. Using Tylenol increases these substances and therefore increases the risk of a blood clot. If you get a blood clot, it can cause a heart attack by blocking narrowed blood vessels and stopping blood flow.
There is another reason why Tylenol should not be taken after a heart attack, and that is because it causes the body to retain more fluid and sodium by affecting blood flow to the kidneys. This in turn increases blood pressure, causingatrial fibrillation(an abnormal rapid vibrating movement in the upper chambers of the heart) is more likely.
That said, it should be noted that among the pain relief options including NSAIDs or Tylenol, Tylenol may actually be the best choice. You still need to be careful with it, but if you really need pain relief during or after a heart attack and your only options are Tylenol vs. Advil, Motrin, Aleve, Naprosyn, etc., then you should choose Tylenol. In any case, you should contact your doctor first.
Should You Take Aspirin Instead of Tylenol for a Heart Attack?
Aspirin is also an NSAID pain reliever, but for some reason it does not have the same harmful heart effects as Tylenol and the others.Some people even take aspirin daily as a preventative measure.
In fact, the American Heart Association recommends aspirin as a pain treatment option, in part because of its "heart-safe," blood-thinning effects. Also note: do not take aspirin if:
- You have serious bleeding or have recently had serious bleeding
- In case of possible stroke
- If you are allergic to aspirin
It's also worth noting that aspirin can cause stomach upset and even stomach ulcers if used long-term or regularly.
Nevertheless, if you're wondering if Tylenol is as good as aspirin for a heart attack, the answer is clear:Nee- Tylenol is not alone 'not so good'; it should ideally be avoided, while aspirin is generally a safe analgesic option for people at cardiovascular risk.
What can patients with cardiovascular disease use instead of Tylenol?
Alternative options that behave similarly to aspirin, but without the potential harm of Tylenol or NSAIDs for heart attack victims, include Salsalat (Disalcid) or choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisat). Keep in mind that they don't have as strong an anti-inflammatory effect, but they can help without the same risks.
Non-drug methods you can try to reduce pain include heating pads or ice. These also won't help relieve a heart attack, but can provide comfort while waiting for the ambulance to arrive. Although you cannot rely on them alone, they can allow you to take a lower dose of painkillers if you use them in combination with medications.
