ADHD Medications Pose Minor Heart Risks, With a Call for Regular Monitoring
A comprehensive new analysis, published in The Lancet Psychiatry, underscores that medications prescribed for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) generally induce minor impacts on cardiovascular health, mostly characterized by slight elevations in heart rate and blood pressure. Conducted by an international team led by the University of Southampton, this large study evaluated data from 102 clinical trials involving over 22,702 participants globally, comparing both stimulant and non-stimulant medications used to treat ADHD. The news from this research provides a balanced view, suggesting that while there are small cardiovascular effects, the broader benefits of these medications often outweigh such risks.