Heart Disease: Considering Cold Relief
Colds and the flu can be serious for people with heart disease. Not only are you at risk for pneumonia, but it’s hard to tell whether your symptoms are a sign of a cold or of heart failure that is getting worse.
You may not be able to take over-the-counter (OTC) medicines to help you feel better if you do have a cold. Medicines, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or diclofenac, are called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They can cause you to retain fluid and make heart failure worse. Also, many OTC cold medicines, including nasal sprays, contain decongestants. These include phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline, and naphazoline. These can raise blood pressure and interfere with prescription medicines.
Prevention is the best medicine for a cold or the flu. Ask your healthcare provider about when and how to get a yearly flu vaccine. Also ask your provider when you should have your pneumonia vaccine. Prevent having contact with people who have colds, and wash your hands often.
Talk with your healthcare provider if you feel a cold coming on. They can evaluate your symptoms and may advise a pain reliever. An example is acetaminophen. This is not an NSAID. Also ask about cold medicines that don’t contain decongestants. The bottom line: Always talk with your healthcare provider before taking any new medicine.
Online Medical Reviewer: Callie Tayrien RN MSNStacey Wojcik MBA BSN RNSteven Kang MD
Date Last Reviewed: 8/1/2023
Copyright Health Ink & Vitality Communications
Related Conditions
- For Women: Take This Risk to Heart
- Get to the Heart of Oral Health
- Heart Disease: Considering Cold Relief
- Heart Disease: How Disease Management Helps
- Heart Disease: Keep Your Gums Healthy
- Heart Disease- Managing Many Medicines
- Help for a Child with a Cold
- How to Make Heart-Healthy Food Choices
- Know About Niacin
- Making Your Lifestyle Heart-Healthy
- Strength Training and Heart Disease
- When You're Taking Heart Medicines
- Common Cold in Children
- Upper Respiratory Disorders
- Coronary Heart Disease