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You are here: Home / Causes of Atrial Fibrillation / Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax May Increase Risk of Developing Atrial Fibrillation

Osteoporosis Drug Fosamax May Increase Risk of Developing Atrial Fibrillation

Travis Van Slooten |November 12, 2013 | 2 Comments

fosamax-and-atrial-fibrillationThere was a study done in 2008 that was conducted at the University of Washington. It was led by researcher, Susan Heckbert. The study found that women using Fosamax were nearly twice as likely to develop atrial fibrillation than those who had never used it.

A recent study was published in Chest Journal, the official publication of the American College of Chest Physicians. The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of serious atrial fibrillation (episodes that required hospitalization), stroke, and cardiovascular mortality with the use of osteoporosis drugs like Fosamax through a systematic review of the literature.

The study concluded that there is a significantly increased risk of atrial fibrillation requiring hospitalization, BUT no increase in the risk of stroke or cardiovascular mortality with the use of these drugs.

I don’t know about you, but I tend to get lost in all these studies because the devil is always in the details. For example, the word, “significantly” doesn’t mean much unless you know the exact numbers and can analyze everything in context.

And the study in Chest says that while you are at increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation taking these drugs, you are at no risk of stroke or cardiovascular mortality. Excuse me? The main concern with atrial fibrillation is stroke. If I’m at increased risk of developing afib, wouldn’t I then also be at increased risk of strokes? Again, it’s hard to make heads or tails of these studies unless you really know the numbers and what these conclusions really mean.

I guess the bottom line is this, if you are taking Fosamax or other osteoporosis drugs, called bisphosphonates, you may be at risk of developing atrial fibrillation. If that concerns you, then you should do your own research and talk to your doctor about alternative medications and treatments for your osteoporosis.

Dr. Mercola wrote a great article on the dangers of Fosamax, and provided some excellent tips on how to strengthen your bones safely and naturally. Click here to read his article.

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  1. Cantrell ( F / Years with AFIB: Less than one )
    Nov 26, 2016

    I know this article regarding Fosamax and AFIB is several years old however it caught my eye as my doctor just last week prescribed Fosamax for my recently diagnosed osteoporosis. I was diagnosed with AFIB Feb. of this year and take Amolopine, Xeralto and Digoxin. It is a terrible condition and thank goodness for articles such as this there is no way I will be taking Fosamax.

    Reply
    • Travis ( Age: 44 / Male / Years with AFIB: 9 )
      Nov 28, 2016

      Cantrell:

      Thanks for sharing your experience! I wish you well.

      Travis

      Reply

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