Heartburn drugs can damage cells that line blood vessels
Study suggests explanation for proton pump inhibitors’ link to severe side effects
By Meghan Rosen
A popular type of heartburn medicine could hasten wear and tear of blood vessels.
Proton pump inhibitors, or PPIs, gunk up cells that typically line the veins and arteries like a slick coat of Teflon, researchers report May 10 in Circulation Research. Excess cellular junk ages the cells, which could make blood vessels work less smoothly.
The results, though controversial, are the first inkling of evidence that might explain why PPIs have recently been linked to so many different health problems, from heart attacks to dementia.