A class of acid reflux drugs known as Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) have recently been linked to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Some common brand names for these PPI medications include Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid.

PPIs including Prilosec, Nexium and Prevacid, are among the most widely used acid reflux medications in the world, with an estimated 113 million prescriptions for acid reflux medications written each year, with annual sales of $13.9 billion.

There are 30 million Americans who are regular users of prescribed or over the counter acid reflux relief drugs to control symptoms related to heartburn and a variety of gastro-esophageal conditions.

The drugs are used to treat heartburn, acid reflux,  and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). They are also prescribed to treat ulcers in the stomach and small intestine (stress gastritis), inflammation of the esophagus as well as Barrett’s esophagus, peptic ulcer disease, and dyspepsia.

They work by blocking the production of stomach acid, giving damaged esophageal tissue time to heal. When the esophagus is functioning properly, its sphincter muscle prevents the backwash of stomach acid from coming up and causing painful irritation and damage characteristic of GERD and heartburn.

Prescription acid reflux medications in the proton pump inhibitor class include:

• Omeprazole (Prilosec or Zanprol)
• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Lansoprazole (Prevacid)
• Rabeprazole (AcipHex)
• Pantoprazole (Protonix)
• Dexlansoprazole (Dexilant)

Acid reflux medications sold over-the-counter include:

• Prilosec OTC (omeprazole)
• Zegerid OTC (omeprazole)
• Prevacid 24HR (iansoprazole)

Study Suggests Risk of Heart Attack

New research shows that patients using acid reflux medication face a significantly higher risk for suffering a heart attack than those who do not. In a study published in July 2013 by the medical journal Circulation, researchers demonstrated for the first time how proton pump inhibitors (acid reflux drugs), could be increasing the odds of users contracting cardiovascular disease.

Researchers from the Texas Methodist Hospital Research Institute and Stanford University found that proton pump inhibitors increase the level of plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (plasma ADMA) and decrease levels of nitric oxide. This leads to constriction of blood vessels and an increased risk of an individual’s development of heart disease.

The researchers described how given the effect of how PPIs elevate levels of ADMA in the bloodstream, regular use of acid reflux medication could lead to high blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems and strokes.

The researchers concluded that their findings are a plausible explanation for a link between drugs like Prilosec and Nexium and heart problems, including heart attacks. They expressed concern over the wide use of PPIs, which are among some of the most commonly used acid reflux medications in the United States.

The researchers also warned in their conclusion that these increased ADMA levels associated with PPIs have “a plausible biological mechanism to explain the association of PPIs with increased major adverse cardiovascular events…” and raised concerns about the widespread use of acid reflux medication and called for more research into the cardiovascular risks.

With most recent coverage of PPI medication side effects focusing on the increased risk of bone fractures, many patients are now wondering how long drug makers have known about the higher risk of heart attacks linked to acid reflux medications and if they  failed to warn of this risk to protect profits.