Millions of older adults take medications every day for pain, congestion, diabetes, attention disorders, and serious illnesses such as cancer.
Most of these medicines have important medical benefits. But as we age, changes in the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and the way the body processes medications can make certain side effects more important.
Some commonly used drugs can raise blood pressure, cause fluid retention, increase heart rate, or place additional stress on the cardiovascular system.
That does not mean you should stop taking them.
Instead, older adults—particularly those with high
