A recent study published on August 7, 2024 in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology raises alarms about the cardiovascular risks associated with certain hypnotic agents used to treat insomnia. Conducted by researchers from China, this study analyzes data from the UK Biobank, analyzing the long-term impact of these medications on heart health.
Overview of the Study
The study examined 124,445 patients from the UK Biobank, a biomedical database containing health information from 500,000 participants, with data collected since 2006. The researchers sought to determine whether there was any association between the use of hypnotic agentsāspecifically benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine (Z-meds) drugsāand cardiovascular outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke, and mortality.
Key Findings
The study’s findings highlight significant risks associated with benzodiazepine use and raise questions about the relative safety of Z-meds:
- Benzodiazepines (e.g., Lorazepam, Alprazolam, Diazepam, Triazolam): The study found that benzodiazepine use was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and mortality over a median follow-up period of 14.3 years. This suggests a clear cardiovascular risk associated with these drugs, making their safety profile particularly concerning.
- Z-meds (Eszopiclone, Zolpidem, Zaleplon): While Z-meds were not linked to the same heightened risk of cardiovascular disease as benzodiazepines, this finding requires careful consideration in the context of overall treatment decisions.
Methodology
The researchers utilize statistical methods, including Cox proportional hazard models, to determine the relationship between hypnotic use and cardiovascular outcomes. They conducted further sensitivity analyses, such as inverse probability of treatment weighting and competing risk models, to validate their findings. Additionally, drug-target Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses provided genetic evidence supporting the relative cardiovascular safety of Z-meds.
Study Conclusion
The study concludes that “Our findings suggested the heterogeneous associations between different categories of hypnotics and incident cardiovascular events in individuals with insomnia. Both observational and genetic evidence raised safety concerns regarding the cardiovascular impact of benzodiazepines. No cardiovascular hazard of Z-meds was discovered in the UKB population with insomnia.”
Implications
This study provides another reason for the cautious prescribing of hypnotics, particularly benzodiazepines, due to their significant cardiovascular risks. Medical professionals should carefully discuss the benefits and potential harms of these medications with their patients before prescribing them for insomnia.
For more information, read the full studyĀ here.
What is the reason for the increased risk?
Hello
I am looking for medical studies on patients who took benzos for 10 years or more, and I’m having a difficult time finding any information on this group.
I was terribly over prescribed benzos for 12-13 years and now I have not taken them (any NEVER will again) for 11 months and I have several unusual issues, and I think most are benzo related but I would like to see studies if there are any out there.
If you could suggest websites or send me links, that would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Angel
I fit this profile and I was diagnosed at 48nwith an thoracic aneurysm. My blood pressure spikes to 160 over 117 due to protracted withdrawal symptoms. I too was over prescribed for over a decade. However I am forced to continue taking them but in smaller amounts. Otherwise I would probably commit suicide due to the symptoms.
I have been
I messed up leaving my comment up above. This is Tammie Holloway. This time around I have been on Xanax for about 15 or 16 years taking 3 mg a day and I am trying to wean off of it on my own and I got down from 3 mg a day to 1 mg a day for the most part and my problem is I don’t have insurance and I have to pay cash to see my doctor but he helps me because he knows that I cannot work and my husband is on disability and his income is the only income in the household and he’s 68 years old and so my doctor lets me see him only once every 3 months and gives me three pills, however unfortunately my Pharmacy closed down and they had one of my refills left and I tried to go to a different Pharmacy and they won’t take me because I know longer live in the same county we moved just one hour away and I wanted to continue to see my same doctor because I’m comfortable with that doctor and he also understands my financial problem and they’re telling me that you have to live in the same county to get your Xanax filled at the pharmacy and so now I need a lot of prayers to try to find a doctor here that will only have me come in once every 3 months but that is a rare find and so I don’t know what to do now. I take Xanax for panic attacks and anxiety I also take Remeron for PTSD and depression and quality for insomnia and Nightmares. I am having tolerance withdrawal even though I went down to 1 mg a day. My memory I have noticed changes I have noticed severe irritability I have noticed insomnia, nightmares, anxiety starting back up again, I have noticed muscle spasms, trouble concentrating and focusing and I am very concerned about being able to properly wean off of this medicine. I may need to be on some type of medication for the rest of my life, but I don’t want to be on any medication that has any type of control over me whatsoever that I have to depend on ever again.
What unusual issues are you having?