12 Nov 2024 • A recent study has found that older adults with epilepsy are about twice as likely to develop new cardiovascular events (CVEs) such as strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), and myocardial infarctions (MIs) over a 6-year period compared to those without epilepsy.

The study included 27,230 participants and suggests that nearly one-third of this increased risk can be attributed to the use of enzyme-inducing antiseizure medications (EIASMs).

Specifically, strong EIASM use accounted for 24.6% of the increased risk, while weak EIASMs contributed an additional 4%.

The study highlights the importance of carefully considering the cardiovascular risks when prescribing EIASMs, especially in older adults who may have other risk factors for heart disease.

These findings urge clinicians to weigh the benefits and risks of using EIASMs in older adults, particularly in individuals with additional cardiovascular risk factors.

Source: JAMA Neurology Read full story