Vioxx Heart Attack
Halfway through a three-year study on Vioxx called APPROVe (Adenomatous Polyp Prevention On Vioxx), Merck & Co., Inc. has removed the drug from the market due to a potential link between the use of Vioxx and increased risks of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks or strokes. This study increases the importance that Vioxx takers quickly understand the symptoms of a heart attack and any other cardiovascular event that has been linked to Vioxx.
What is a heart attack?
Coronary heart disease (CHD), involving the build up of plaques or fatty substances inside the walls of the arteries, is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. CHD is caused by a narrowing of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart, and often results in a heart attack. Blood clots is a very common way by which the arteries stop receiving blood.
When insufficient amount of blood reaches the heart, the condition is called ischemia. Chest pain, or angina, may occur. The pain can vary in occurrence and be mild and intermittent, or more pronounced and steady. It can be severe enough to make normal everyday activities difficult. The same inadequate blood supply may not cause any symptoms at all, a condition called silent ischemia. A heart attack results from a blood clot that suddenly cuts off most or all blood supply to the heart.
Cells in the heart muscle that do not receive enough oxygen-carrying blood begin to die. The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart. Source: National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute (NHLBI): "Heart Attacks".
The regular use of Vioxx has been linked with an increased number of heart attacks. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, contact your doctor immediately. If you regularly take prescribed doses of Vioxx, and your physician has diagnosed a heart problem, Vioxx could potentially be a cause. Contact a highly-qualified, experienced Vioxx lawyer by clicking the links in the panels on the left and right sides of this page.
Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack
- Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
- Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
- Shortness of breath. (also called dyspnea) Often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort.
- Other symptoms. May include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or light-headedness.
If you are a regular Vioxx user and you have suffered a heart attack, hopefully you are already getting the medical help you need. You should also make sure your legal rights are protected. Click the links on the panels on the left and right sides of this page to contact a Vioxx lawyer right away. There is only a limited time for Vioxx lawsuit and Vioxx class action lawsuit claims to be filed, so don't procrastinate!
What is angina?
Angina is a recurring pain or discomfort in the chest that happens when some part of the heart temporarily does not receive enough blood. A person may notice it during physical exertion (such as in climbing stairs). It is usually relieved within a few minutes by resting or by taking prescribed angina medicine. People who have been diagnosed with angina have a greater risk of a heart attack than others. If you regularly use Vioxx and you have been diagnosed with angina, it could be caused by Vioxx. As mentioned in other parts of this site, Vioxx has been linked with not just heart attacks, but also other cardiovascular events, including angina. Get treatment right away, and contact a Vioxx lawyer from the left or right panels of this page to evaluate your situation.
What is congestive heart failure?
Congestive heart failure does not necessarily mean your heart has stopped beating altogether. It does mean that your heart is not pumping blood as it should. While the heart does keep working, it is not properly supplying the body's need for blood and oxygen. If not treated promptly and properly, congestive heart failure could get worse. While congestive heart failure is fairly common among people over the age of 65, it can also be caused by regular use of Vioxx, particularly if you are already at risk.
Common signs of Congestive Heart Failure
- Shortness of breath, especially when lying down.
- Tired, run-down feeling.
- Swelling in feet, ankles and legs (edema).
- Weight gain from fluid buildup.
- Confusion or inability to think clearly (impaired thinking).
- Persistent coughing or wheezing from fluid buildup in lungs (pulmonary congestion).
- Lack of appetite, nausea.
- Increased heart rate, normally resulting from the heart beating faster to compensate for its loss in pumping capacity.
If you suffer from any of these symptoms, get to a doctor right away. If you have been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and you have been regularly taking prescribed doses of Vioxx, Vioxx may have either been or contributed to the cause. If this is the case, contact a highly-qualified and experienced Vioxx attorney right away. Just click one of the panels on the left or right side of this page to get in touch with a lawyer that could help you assess what rights you may have and what actions you should take.
What is high blood pressure?
In addition to heart problems and strokes, Vioxx has been linked with increased risks of high blood pressure. Although high blood pressure is not a heart problem in and of itself, it can cause angina, heart attacks and congestive heart failure. As a result, we are including information about high blood pressure (hypertension) on this page as well.
When the heart beats, it pumps blood to the arteries and creates pressure in them. This pressure (blood pressure) results from two forces. The first force is created as blood pumps into the arteries and through the circulatory system. The second is created as the arteries resist the blood flow. Your arteries stretch when your heart pumps blood through them. How much they stretch depends on how much force the blood exerts.
Your heart beats about 60 to 80 times a minute under normal conditions. Your blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when your heart relaxes between beats. Your blood pressure can change from minute to minute, with changes in posture, exercise or sleeping, but it should normally be less than 120/80 mm Hg for an adult. Blood pressure that stays between 120-139/80-89 is considered prehypertension and above this level (140/90 mm Hg or higher) is considered high blood pressure (hypertension). Source: American Heart Association - www.americanheart.org.
What do the numbers mean?
- The higher (systolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is beating.
- The lower (diastolic) number represents the pressure while the heart is resting.
What are the symptoms of high blood pressure?
According to recent estimates, one in four U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. Have your blood pressure checked regularly. It's the only way to determine if you have high blood pressure. If you are a regular user of Vioxx, your risk of high blood pressure is greatly increased, so it is vitally important for you to get your blood pressure checked immediately and regularly.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart or kidney failure and other symptoms associated with the regular use of Vioxx. This is why high blood pressure is often called the "silent killer." If you are a regular Vioxx user and you have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, Vioxx could be the cause, especially if you had not previously been diagnosed with high blood pressure. Contact an experienced Vioxx lawyer by clicking the links to the panels on the left and right sides of this page to contact one today!