There have been concerns that medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children could increase their risk for serious cardiovascular events, such as stroke or sudden cardiac death. However, a large new study reports that there is no evidence that this is a valid concern.
Published in The New England Journal of Medicine, this study analyzed the medical records of over one million children and young adults between the ages of two and 24, with a follow-up period ranging from three to 19 years. The analysis found no evidence of any link between the use of ADHD drugs and the risk of serious cardiovascular events. Hopefully, this study will allow parents and patients to make informed decisions about using medication to treat ADHD without undue concern about serious cardiovascular effects.
