[SENIORS] Common Painkiller Can Trigger Heart Failure

When it comes to chronic pain, seniors are often told to avoid opioids.

And that’s good advice—opioids carry major risks, especially for older adults.

But the alternative your doctor might offer could be hiding dangers of its own.

A new study finds that a prescription often given for nerve and chronic pain may significantly raise the risk of heart failure, particularly in older adults with existing cardiovascular disease.

And the numbers are alarming.

Researchers followed more than 240,000 Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 to 89 with chronic, non-cancer pain. Compared to those prescribed gabapentin, patients who started pregabalin had:

• A 48 percent higher risk for new-onset heart failure overall
• An 85 percent higher risk for those with a history of cardiovascular disease

That translates to roughly six additional cases of heart failure every year for every 1,000 seniors taking pregabalin.

Pregabalin is more potent than gabapentin and may cause sodium and water retention—a dangerous combination for anyone with a vulnerable heart.

The American Heart Association already lists pregabalin as a medication that may cause or worsen heart failure. And European health regulators recommend extreme caution when prescribing it to older adults with heart disease.

Heart failure doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a chronic, progressive condition that limits your ability to carry out everyday activities.

And once diagnosed, it’s rarely reversible.

If you have heart disease—or even risk factors like high blood pressure or diabetes—pregabalin could tip the balance in the wrong direction.

If you’re dealing with chronic pain, especially nerve-related pain, don’t stop any medication abruptly. Instead:

• Ask about non-drug therapies before starting pregabalin.
• Explore natural pain relief like omega-3 fatty acids, turmeric, and gentle stretching or yoga to improve mobility and reduce inflammation.
• Work with an integrative provider to address pain triggers—whether that’s posture, nutrition, or underlying inflammation.

Prescription drugs can be lifesaving, but for seniors—especially those with heart concerns—it’s worth weighing the risks before you swallow the first pill.

P.S. This natural painkiller tackles 4 types of pain.

View Sources

Park EE, Daniel LL, Dickson AL, et al. Initiation of Pregabalin vs Gabapentin and Development of Heart Failure. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(8):e2524451. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.24451