Why This Study Matters

Many adults considering ADHD medication wonder about long-term safety, particularly regarding heart health. Since stimulant medications can affect heart rate and blood pressure, understanding whether long-term exposure increases cardiovascular risk is an important question for both patients and clinicians.

Key Findings (ages < 65)

ADHD medications may be associated with modest increases in hypertension and arterial disease over long periods.

• the study did not find statistically significant increases in major cardiac events such as heart attack or stroke
Routine clinical practice—screening for cardiac history and monitoring blood pressure and heart rate—remains appropriate.

My Take

The main signal in this study was for blood pressure–related conditions, not major cardiovascular events. That distinction matters clinically because blood pressure is something physicians can monitor and manage during treatment. For most patients, the decision to use ADHD medication still involves balancing potential risks with the significant functional benefits of treatment.

Source
Zhang L, Li L, Andell P, Garcia-Argibay M, Quinn PD, D'Onofrio BM, Brikell I, Kuja-Halkola R, Lichtenstein P, Johnell K, Larsson H, Chang Z. Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Medications and Long-Term Risk of Cardiovascular Diseases. JAMA Psychiatry. 2024 Feb 1;81(2):178-187. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.4294

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