A heart surgeon warns: this popular pill weakens the hearts of older people.

Continued on the next page: Diabetes Medications: Beware of Thiazolidinediones.
In people with type 2 diabetes, certain medications called thiazolidinediones, including pioglitazone, can have an insidious, harmful effect on the heart. These tablets can cause fluid retention, leg swelling, and even congestive heart failure, especially in people over 60.
Even worse, these pills can mask the early symptoms of heart failure, such as fatigue or shortness of breath. Older people with diabetes are already at high risk of heart disease, and adding a medication that puts a significant strain on the heart is a dangerous combination.

Sleeping Pills and Sedatives: Nighttime Risks.
Many older people take sedatives and hypnotics, such as zolpidem, or older medications like diazepam. These medications slow down the entire nervous system, including heart rate and blood pressure, thus reducing the body’s ability to respond to stress or oxygen needs during sleep.

To learn more, see the next page.