Good Lifestyle

Sometimes, by dealing with a health problem, you inadvertently trigger another. And experts say that this is often the case with regard to over -the -counter popular drugs (OTC) used to treat every day Digestive problems . They warn that if you regularly take this common medication, you can put your heart at increased risk of potentially serious condition linked to a coronary disease, a heart attack, etc.

In relation: Doctors warn that the popular med is "the most dangerous over -the -counter medication".

High levels of calcium can be dangerous.

When your doctor performs a routine blood test or a metabolic panel, it is likely that they check the amount of calcium in your blood.

High calcium levels are called hypercalcemia , a condition that can create kidney stones, weaken your bones, disturb normal brain function and cause heart problems.

"Hypercalcemia can seriously affect heart function and the cardiovascular system and can cause arrhythmia (an increase in irregular cardiac rhythms) and EKG anomalies due to the increase in calcium levels disturbing the electrical activity of the heart", " Brynna Connor , MD, health care ambassador at NorthwestPharmacy.com , previously told Best life .

"Indeed, calcium is a positively loaded ion which, in the blood in normal quantities, helps bring electrical activity to the heart (with muscles and the brain)," she explained. "However, when too much calcium is in the blood, it can change the electrical activity of the heart, causing a change of heart rate."

In fact, a 2017 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) noted that "a genetic predisposition to higher serum calcium levels was associated with an increased risk of coronary coronary disease and myocardial infarction, "otherwise known as a heart attack.

However, even those who do not have genetic predisposition or underlying condition may find themselves at increased risks if they consume drugs or supplements containing excess calcium.

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Taking too much tums or Rolaids can cause hypercalcemia.

Especially, Cleveland clinic Warning against over -the -counter antacids, which are used to treat stomach burns and indigestion by neutralizing gastric acids.

"Taking too much calcium carbonate in the form of tums or Rolaids is in fact one of the most common causes of hypercalcemia," they note. For reference, calcium carbonate contains 40% elementary calcium.

THE Jama The study corroborates that drugs or supplementation "which result in an acute and sustained elevation of serum calcium can modestly increase the risk of cardiovascular events."

For this reason, you should only take antacids as needed, rather than a daily preventive drug.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), most adults should consume roughly 1,000 mg of calcium per day (Women over 50 and men over 70 should increase this to 1,200 mg per day). For reference, a single dose of Tumors Contains 500 mg, 750 mg or 1000 mg of calcium, depending on the resistance.

Raj dasgutta , MD, a quadruple doctor certified doctor and chief medical advisor for Garage gymnasium opinion , recently said Best life that high calcium levels Caused by these antacids can also cause problems of constipation, confusion and renal.

"Seniors, especially those with a reduced kidney function, should be aware of their total calcium contribution from all sources," he added.

In relation: Doctors warn that common drugs can be linked to the risk of dementia .

Be aware of these hypercalcemia symptoms.

If you are at high risk of hypercalcemia, or if you regularly take drugs containing calcium carbonate, it is important to know the symptoms of the condition. According to Mayo clinic , having an excess of calcium can affect several organs and systems in the body in addition to the heart.

Their experts explain that your kidneys can work in overdrive to filter calcium, which can cause frequent urination and increased thirst.

Some patients have gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach aches, vomiting, constipation or nausea.

The condition can also cause problems with the brain function: people with hypercalcemia may feel lethargy, confusion or fatigue. In serious cases, "hypercalcemia is known to cause Neuropsychiatric dysfunction Including mood and cognitive changes and rarely, acute psychosis, ”adds an article in 2020 in the journal Psychiatric case reports .

Talk to your doctor if you think you may have signs of hypercalcemia, or if you think you are at high risk due to a preexisting condition or the use of drugs.