Home / Health / Gout Med Slashes Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
Gout Med Slashes Heart Attack, Stroke Risk
26 Jan
Summary
- Gout medication allopurinol may significantly reduce heart attack and stroke risks.
- Lowering uric acid levels below 360mmol/L decreased heart issues by nine percent.
- Further reduction to below 300mmol/L cut heart risks by approximately 23 percent.
A University of Nottingham study suggests that allopurinol, a common gout medication, may significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. This medication works by lowering uric acid levels in the blood, helping to dissolve painful crystals.
Researchers analyzed data from 110,000 adults between 2007 and 2021. They found that individuals whose uric acid levels were brought below 360 micromol/L had a nine percent lower risk of major cardiovascular events.
Further reducing these levels to below 300 micromol/L offered even greater protection, decreasing the risk of heart issues by approximately 23 percent. This provides an added benefit beyond the pain relief associated with gout flares.
Heart disease remains a leading cause of death in the UK. This research indicates that optimal dosing of urate-lowering treatments not only prevents gout flares but also offers crucial cardiovascular benefits, potentially saving lives.
