Scientists reveal that arthritis medication reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke

 Scientists reveal that arthritis medication reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke

A study has shown that a drug used to relieve joint pain also protects the heart.

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have published a study showing that allopurinol reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Keeping uric acid in the blood below 360 micromoles per liter reduces the risk of heart problems.

The study has confirmed that taking gout medication not only reduces joint pain but also protects the heart.

A study has shown that a drug used to relieve joint pain also protects the heart.

According to new research by researchers at the University of Nottingham, the common drug ‘allopurinol’ used to reduce uric acid can significantly reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke.

According to the report published in JAMA Internal Medicine, patients who managed to keep their blood uric acid levels below 360 micromoles per liter (6 mg/dL) had fewer serious heart problems.

This study, conducted over five years on nearly 110,000 patients, confirmed that taking the right amount of medication not only relieves joint pain but also saves lives.

How does it work?

Gout is a type of arthritis that occurs when the amount of uric acid in the blood increases and small crystals form in the joints.

This causes sudden, unbearable pain and swelling. According to the lead author of the study, Professor Abhishek, uric acid-lowering drugs help dissolve these crystals.

When the level of uric acid in the blood falls below the prescribed limit, it reduces the negative effects on blood vessels and protects the heart.

Study findings

The study showed that patients who achieved their uric acid target within 12 months of starting the drug had significantly lower rates of heart attack, stroke and death from heart disease than those who did not.

The drug was particularly effective for people who were already at high risk of heart disease. The study also showed that lowering uric acid levels to below 300 micromoles per liter could provide even greater protection against heart disease.

Previous studies have shown that these drugs only reduce gout pain, but this is the first time that they have been shown to have a direct link to heart health.

The finding is expected to encourage gout patients to take their medication regularly and adjust the dosage accordingly.

According to scientists, treating gout is now essential not only for joint health but also for heart health.